# 14 - 400 Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes

### 400 Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes

TABLE 399-3  Patterns of Occurrence in Inherited Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma–Associated Syndromes
EXTRA-ADRENAL 
RETROPERITONEAL 
OR PELVIC TUMORS
MUTATED 
GENE
ADRENAL 
TUMORS
HEAD AND NECK 
TUMORS
MAX
+++++
<x
+
<x
+++++
++++
++
+++
NF1
+++++
<+
+
<+
+
++
+
++
RET
+++++
<+
<+
<+
++++
++++
<+
+
SDHA
++
++++
++
+
+
<+
+
+
SDHB
++++
+++
+++
+
++
<+
+++
++
SDHC
<+
+++++
<+
+
+
<+
<+
++
SDHD
++
+++++
+
+
++++
<+
+
+++
VHL
+++++
<+
+
+
++++
+++
+
++++
TMEM127
+++++
+
+
+
++
++
<+
+
Note: Frequencies in percentage (<+: 0–4%; +: 5–19%; ++: 20–39%; +++: 40–59%; ++++: 60–79%; +++++: 80–100%) of clinical characteristics of pheochromocytomas/
paragangliomas of patients with germline mutations of the genes MAX, NF1, RET, SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, VHL, and TMEM127; for other genes, the data are too limited 
to include in this summary.
A single adrenal pheochromocytoma in a patient with an otherwise 
unremarkable history may still be associated with mutations of VHL, 
RET, SDHB, or SDHD (in decreasing order of frequency). Two-thirds 
of extra-adrenal tumors are associated with one of these syndromes, 
and multifocal tumors occur with decreasing frequency in carriers of 
RET, SDHD, VHL, SDHB, and MAX mutations. About 30% of head and 
neck paragangliomas are associated with germline mutations of one of 
the SDH subunit genes (most often SDHD) and are rare in carriers of 
VHL, RET, MAX, and TMEM127 mutations. Immunohistochemistry is 
helpful in the preselection of hereditary pheochromocytoma. Negative 
immunostaining with antibodies to SDHB (Fig. 399-5F), TMEM127, 
and MAX may predict mutations of the SDHx (PGL1-5), TMEM127, 
and MAX genes, respectively.
Once the underlying syndrome is diagnosed, the benefit of genetic 
testing can be extended to relatives. For this purpose, it is necessary 
to identify the germline mutation in the proband and, after genetic 
counseling, to perform DNA sequence analyses of the responsible gene 
in relatives to determine whether they are affected. Other family mem­
bers may benefit when individuals who carry a germline mutation are 
biochemically screened for paraganglial tumors.
■
■FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
About 15% of sporadic PPGLs present with recurrence, including 
some ocurring >10 years after initial management; this rate is higher in 
genetically determined PPGL. Defining the clinical outcome of a PPGL 
remains difficult, and machine learning models including several fac­
tors might be helpful in the future to personalize the follow-up of these 
patients. The recent American Joint Committee on Cancer tumornode-metastasis classification could help select patients at risk of recur­
rence. The pathogenesis of PPGL remains imperfectly understood, 
and as for other endocrine tumors, microenvironment and immune 
cells might influence PPGL aggressiveness or metastatic behavior; they 
could also constitute some new therapeutic targets in the future.
■
■FURTHER READING
Al Subhi  AR et al: Systematic review: Incidence of pheochromocy­
toma and paraganglioma over 70 years. J Endocr Soc 6:bvac105, 2022.
Amar  L et al: International consensus on initial screening and followup of asymptomatic SDHx mutation carriers. Nat Rev Endocrinol 
17:435, 2021.
Bancos  I  et al: Maternal and fetal outcomes in pheochromocytoma 
and pregnancy: A multi-center retrospective cohort study and sys­
tematic review of literature. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2021; 9:13.
Calsina  B  et al: Genomic and immune landscape of metastatic pheo­
chromocytoma and paraganglioma. Nat Commun 14:1122, 2023.
Castinetti  F et al: Controversies about the systematic preoperative 
pharmacological treatment before pheochromocytoma or paragan­
glioma surgery. Eur J Endocrinol 186:D17, 2022.
Horton  C et al: Universal germline panel testing for individuals with 
pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma produces high diagnostic 
yield. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 107:e1917, 2022.

BILATERAL 
ADRENAL 
TUMORS
FAMILY HISTORY IN PROBANDS 
FOR COMPONENTS OF THE 
GIVEN SYNDROME
THORACIC 
TUMORS
MULTIPLE

TUMORS
METASTATIC 
TUMORS
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes 
CHAPTER 400
Lenders JW et al: Genetics, diagnosis, management and future direc­
tions of research of phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma: A posi­
tion statement and consensus of the Working Group on Endocrine 
Hypertension of the European Society of Hypertension. J Hypertens 
38:1443, 2020.
Lopez  AG  et al: Expression of LHCGR in pheochromocytomas 
unveils an endocrine mechanism connecting pregnancy and epi­
nephrine overproduction. Hypertension 79:1006, 2022.
Neumann HPH et al: Comparison of pheochromocytoma-specific 
morbidity and mortality among adults with bilateral pheochromocy­
tomas undergoing total adrenalectomy vs cortical-sparing adrenalec­
tomy. JAMA Netw Open 2:e198898, 2019.
Pamporaki  C  et al: Prediction of metastatic pheochromocytoma and 
paraganglioma: A machine learning modelling study using data from 
a cross-sectional cohort. Lancet Digit Health 5:e551, 2023.
Taïeb  D  et al: European Association of Nuclear Medicine Practice 
Guideline/Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 
Procedure Standard 2019 for radionuclide imaging of phaeochromo­
cytoma and paraganglioma. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 46:2112, 
2019.
Taïeb D et al: Clinical consensus guideline on the management of 
phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma in patients harbouring 
germline SDHD pathogenic variants. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 
11:345, 2023.
Rajesh V. Thakker

Multiple Endocrine 

Neoplasia Syndromes
Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) is characterized by a predilection 
for tumors involving two or more endocrine glands. Five major forms 
of MEN are recognized and referred to as MEN types 1–5 (MEN 1–5) 
(Table 400-1). Each type of MEN is inherited as an autosomal domi­
nant syndrome or may occur sporadically, that is, without a family 
history. However, this distinction between familial and sporadic forms 
is often difficult because family members with the disease may have 
died before symptoms developed. In addition to MEN 1–5, at least 
six other syndromes are associated with multiple endocrine and other 
organ neoplasias (MEONs) (Table 400-2). These MEONs include the 
hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor (HPT-JT) syndrome, Carney com­
plex, von Hippel–Lindau disease (Chap. 399), neurofibromatosis

TABLE 400-1  Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) Syndromes
TYPE 
(CHROMOSOMAL 
LOCATION)
GENE AND MOST 
FREQUENTLY 
MUTATED CODONS
TUMORS (ESTIMATED 
PENETRANCE)
MEN 1 (11q13)
Parathyroid adenoma (90%)
Enteropancreatic tumor (30–70%)
• Gastrinoma (>50%)
• Insulinoma (10–30%)
• Nonfunctioning and PPoma 
MEN1
83/84, 4-bp del (≈4%)
119, 3-bp del (≈3%)
209-211, 4-bp del 
(≈8%)
418, 3-bp del (≈4%)
514-516, del or ins 
(≈7%)
Intron 4 ss (≈10%)
(20–55%)
• Glucagonoma (<3%)
• VIPoma (<1%)
Pituitary adenoma (15–50%)
• Prolactinoma (60%)
• Somatotrophinoma (25%)
• Corticotrophinoma (<5%)
• Nonfunctioning (<5%)
Associated tumors
• Adrenal cortical tumor (20–70%)
• Pheochromocytoma (<1%)
• Bronchopulmonary NET (2%)
• Thymic NET (2%)
• Gastric NET (10%)
• Lipomas (>33%)
• Angiofibromas (85%)
• Collagenomas (70%)
• Meningiomas (8%)
PART 12
Endocrinology and Metabolism
MEN 2 (10 cen-10q11.2)
  MEN 2A
 
 
MTC (90%)
Pheochromocytoma (>50%)
Parathyroid adenoma (10–25%)
 
RET
634, e.g., Cys → Arg 
(~85%)
  MTC only
MTC (100%)
RET 618, missense 
(>50%)
  MEN 2B (also 
MTC (>90%)
Pheochromocytoma (>50%)
Associated abnormalities 
(40–50%)
• Mucosal neuromas
• Marfanoid habitus
• Medullated corneal nerve 
RET 918, Met → Thr 
(>95%)
known as MEN 3)
fibers
• Megacolon
MEN 4 (12p13)
 
 
 
 
Parathyroid adenomaa
CDKN1B; no 
common mutations 
identified to date
 
 
Pituitary adenomaa
Reproductive organ tumorsa (e.g., 
testicular cancer, neuroendocrine 
cervical carcinoma)
?Adrenal + renal tumorsa
MEN5 (14q23.3)
Pheochromocytomaa
MAX; no common 
mutations identified 
to date
Pituitary adenomaa
Parathyroid adenomas?a
Neural crest tumors (e.g., 
ganglioneuroma,
neuroblastoma)
(other tumors? – renal cell 
carcinoma,
renal oncocytoma, pancreatic 
NETs,
chondrosarcoma) 
aInsufficient numbers reported to provide prevalence information.
Note: Autosomal dominant inheritance of the MEN syndromes has been established.
Abbreviations: del, deletion; ins, insertion; MTC, medullary thyroid cancer; NET, 
neuroendocrine tumor; PPoma, pancreatic polypeptide–secreting tumor; VIPoma, 
vasoactive intestinal polypeptide–secreting tumor.
Source: Adapted with permission from Thakker RV. Multiple endocrine neoplasia–
syndromes of the twentieth century. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 83:2617, 1998.

TABLE 400-2  Multiple Endocrine and Other Organ Neoplasia (MEON) 
Syndromes
CHROMOSOMAL 
LOCATION
DISEASEa
GENE PRODUCT
Hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor (HPT-JT)
Parafibromin
1q31.2
Carney complex
 
 
  CNC1
PRAKAR1A
17q24.2
  CNC2
?b
2p16
von Hippel–Lindau disease (VHL)
pVHL (elongin)
3p25
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)
Neurofibromin
17q11.2
Cowden’s syndrome (CWS)
 
 
  CWS1
PTEN
10q23.31
  CWS2
SDHB
1p36.13
  CWS3
SDHD
11q23.1
  CWS4
KLLN
10q23.31
  CWS5
PIK3CA
3q26.32
  CWS6
AKT1
14q32.33
  CWS7
SEC23B
20p11.23
McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS)
Gsα
20q13.32
aThe inheritance for these disorders is autosomal dominant, except MAS, which 
is due to mosaicism that results from the postzygotic somatic cell mutation of the 
GNAS1 gene, encoding Gsα. b?, unknown.
type 1 (Chap. 95), Cowden’s syndrome (CWS), and McCune-Albright 
syndrome (MAS) (Chap. 424); all of these are inherited as autoso­
mal dominant disorders, except for MAS, which is caused by mosaic 
expression of a postzygotic somatic cell mutation (Table 400-2).
A diagnosis of a MEN or MEON syndrome may be established 
in an individual by one of three criteria: (1) clinical features (two 
or more of the associated tumors [or lesions] in an individual); (2) 
familial pattern (one of the associated tumors [or lesions] in a firstdegree relative of a patient with a clinical diagnosis of the syndrome); 
and (3) genetic analysis (a germline mutation in the associated gene 
in an individual, who may be clinically affected or asymptomatic). 
Mutational analysis in MEN and MEON syndromes is helpful in 
clinical practice to (1) confirm the clinical diagnosis; (2) identify 
family members who harbor the mutation and require screening for 
relevant tumor detection and early/appropriate treatment; and (3) 
identify the ~50% of family members who do not harbor the germline 
mutation and can, therefore, be alleviated of the anxiety of developing 
associated tumors. This latter aspect also helps to reduce health care 
costs by reducing the need for unnecessary biochemical and radio­
logic investigations.
■
■MULTIPLE ENDOCRINE NEOPLASIA TYPE 1
Clinical Manifestations 
MEN type 1 (MEN 1), which is also 
referred to as Wermer’s syndrome, is characterized by the triad of tumors 
involving the parathyroids, pancreatic islets, and anterior pituitary. In 
addition, adrenal cortical tumors, carcinoid tumors usually of the fore­
gut, meningiomas, facial angiofibromas, collagenomas, and lipomas may 
also occur in some patients with MEN 1. Combinations of the affected 
glands and their pathologic features (e.g., hyperplastic adenomas of the 
parathyroid glands) may differ in members of the same family and even 
between identical twins. In addition, a nonfamilial (e.g., sporadic) form 
occurs in 8–14% of patients with MEN 1, and molecular genetic studies 
have confirmed the occurrence of de novo mutations of the MEN1 gene 
in ~10% of patients with MEN 1. The prevalence of MEN 1 is ~0.25% 
based on randomly chosen postmortem studies but is 1–18% among 
patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, 16–38% among patients 
with pancreatic islet tumors, and <3% among patients with pituitary 
tumors. The disorder affects all age groups, with a reported age range of 
5–81 years, with clinical and biochemical manifestations developing in 
the vast majority by the fifth decade. The clinical manifestations of MEN 
1 are related to the sites of tumors and their hormonal products. In the 
absence of treatment, endocrine tumors are associated with an earlier

TABLE 400-3  Biochemical and Radiologic Screening in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1
TUMOR
AGE TO BEGIN (YEARS)
BIOCHEMICAL TEST (PLASMA OR SERUM) ANNUALLY
IMAGING TEST (TIME INTERVAL)
Parathyroid

Calcium, PTH
None
Pancreatic NETs
 
 
 
  Gastrinoma

Gastrin (± gastric pH)
None
  Insulinoma

Fasting glucose, insulin
None
  Other pancreatic NET
<10
Chromogranin A; pancreatic polypeptide, glucagon, 
vasoactive intestinal peptide
Anterior pituitary

Prolactin, IGF-I
MRI (every 3 years)
Adrenal
<10
None unless symptoms or signs of functioning tumor 
and/or tumor >1 cm identified on imaging
Thymic and bronchial carcinoid

None
CT or MRI (every 1–2 years)
Abbreviations: CT, computed tomography; EUS, endoscopic ultrasound; IGF-I, insulin-like growth factor I; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; NET, neuroendocrine tumor; 
PTH, parathyroid hormone.
Source: Data from PJ Newey, RV Thakker: Role of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 mutational analysis in clinical practice. Endocr Pract 17, 2011 and RV Thakker: 
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). Translational Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol 2. Chevy Chase, MD: The Endocrine Society; 2011.
mortality in patients with MEN 1, with a 50% probability of death by the 
age of 50 years. The cause of death is usually a malignant tumor, often 
from a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET) or foregut carcinoid. 
In addition, the treatment outcomes of patients with MEN 1–associated 
tumors are not as successful as those in patients with non–MEN 1 
tumors. This is because MEN 1–associated tumors, with the exception 
of pituitary NETs, are usually multiple, making it difficult to achieve a 
successful surgical cure. Occult metastatic disease is also more prevalent 
in MEN 1, and the tumors may be larger, more aggressive, and resistant 
to treatment.
Parathyroid Tumors (See also Chap. 422) 
Primary hyper­
parathyroidism occurs in ~90% of patients and is the most common 
feature of MEN 1. Patients may have asymptomatic hypercalcemia or 
vague symptoms associated with hypercalcemia (e.g., polyuria, poly­
dipsia, constipation, malaise, or dyspepsia). Nephrolithiasis and osteitis 
fibrosa cystica (less commonly) may also occur. Biochemical investiga­
tions reveal hypercalcemia, usually in association with elevated circu­
lating parathyroid hormone (PTH) (Table 400-3). The hypercalcemia 
is usually mild, and severe hypercalcemia or parathyroid cancer is a 
rare occurrence. Additional differences in the primary hyperparathy­
roidism of patients with MEN 1, as opposed to those without MEN 1, 
include an earlier age at onset (20–25 vs 55 years) and an equal maleto-female ratio (1:1 vs 1:3). Preoperative imaging (e.g., neck ultrasound 
with 99mTc-sestamibi parathyroid scintigraphy) is of limited benefit 
because all parathyroid glands may be affected, and neck exploration 
may be required irrespective of preoperative localization studies.
TREATMENT
Parathyroid Tumors
Surgical removal of the abnormally overactive parathyroids in 
patients with MEN 1 is the definitive treatment, and most special­
ist centers recommend performing a subtotal (e.g., removal of 
3.5 glands) parathyroidectomy. Minimally invasive parathyroidec­
tomy is not recommended because all four parathyroid glands are 
usually affected with multiple adenomas or hyperplasia. Surgical 
experience should be taken into account given the variability in 
pathology in MEN 1. Calcimimetics (e.g., cinacalcet), which act 
via the calcium-sensing receptor, have been used to treat primary 
hyperparathyroidism in some patients when surgery is unsuccessful 
or contraindicated.
Pancreatic Tumors (See also Chap. 89) 
The incidence of 
pancreatic islet cell tumors, which are NETs, in patients with MEN 1 
ranges from 30 to 80% in different series. Most of these tumors (Table 
400-1) produce excessive amounts of hormone (e.g., gastrin, insulin, 
glucagon, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide [VIP]) and are associated 
with distinct clinical syndromes, although some are nonfunctioning or 

MRI, CT, or EUS (annually)
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes 
CHAPTER 400
MRI or CT (annually with pancreatic imaging)
nonsecretory. These pancreatic islet cell tumors have an earlier age at 
onset in patients with MEN 1 than in patients without MEN 1.
Gastrinoma 
Gastrin-secreting tumors (gastrinomas) are associated 
with marked gastric acid production and recurrent peptic ulcerations, 
a combination referred to as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Gastrinomas 
occur more often in patients with MEN 1 who are aged >30 years. 
Recurrent severe multiple peptic ulcers, which may perforate, and 
cachexia are major contributors to the high mortality. Patients with 
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome may also suffer from diarrhea and steat­
orrhea. The diagnosis is established by demonstration of an elevated 
fasting serum gastrin concentration in association with increased 
basal gastric acid secretion (Table 400-3). However, the diagnosis of 
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome may be difficult in hypercalcemic MEN 
1 patients because hypercalcemia can also cause hypergastrinemia. 
Ultrasonography, endoscopic ultrasonography, computed tomography 
(CT), nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), selective abdominal 
angiography, venous sampling, and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy 
(SRS) are helpful in localizing the tumor prior to surgery. Gastrinomas 
represent >50% of all pancreatic NETs in patients with MEN 1, and 
~20% of patients with gastrinomas will be found to have MEN 1. Gas­
trinomas, which may also occur in the duodenal mucosa, are the major 
cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with MEN 1.
TREATMENT
Gastrinoma
Medical treatment of patients with MEN 1 and Zollinger-Ellison 
syndrome is directed toward reducing basal acid output to <10 
mmol/L. Parietal cell H+-K+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) 
inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole or lansoprazole) reduce acid output 
and are the drugs of choice for gastrinomas. Some patients may 
also require additional treatment with the histamine H2 receptor 
antagonists cimetidine or ranitidine. The role of surgery in the 
treatment of gastrinomas in patients with MEN 1 is controversial. 
The goal of surgery is to reduce the risk of distant metastatic disease 
and improve survival. For a nonmetastatic gastrinoma situated in 
the pancreas, surgical excision is often effective. However, the risk 
of hepatic metastases increases with tumor size, such that 25–40% 
of patients with pancreatic NETs >4 cm develop hepatic metastases, 
and 50–70% of patients with tumors 2–3 cm in size have lymph 
node metastases. Survival in MEN 1 patients with gastrinomas 
<2.5 cm in size is 100% at 15 years, but 52% at 15 years, if metastatic 
disease is present. The presence of lymph node metastases does not 
appear to adversely affect survival. Surgery for gastrinomas that 
are >2–2.5 cm has been recommended, because the disease-related 
survival in these patients is improved following surgery. In addition, 
duodenal gastrinomas, which occur more frequently in patients 
with MEN 1, have been treated successfully with surgery. However,

in most patients with MEN 1, gastrinomas are multiple or extrapan­
creatic, and with the exception of duodenal gastrinomas, surgery is 
rarely successful. For example, the results of one study revealed that 
only ~15% of patients with MEN 1 were free of disease immediately 
after surgery, and at 5 years, this number had decreased to ~5%; 
the respective outcomes in patients without MEN 1 were better, 
at 45 and 40%. Given these findings, most specialists recommend 
a nonsurgical management for gastrinomas in MEN 1, except as 
noted earlier for smaller, isolated lesions. Treatment of dissemi­
nated gastrinomas is difficult. Chemotherapy with streptozotocin 
and 5-fluorouracil; hormonal therapy with octreotide or lanreotide, 
which are human somatostatin analogues (SSAs); selected internal 
radiation therapy (SIRT); radiofrequency ablation; peptide radio 
receptor therapy (PRRT); hepatic artery embolization; administra­
tion of human leukocyte interferon; and removal of all resectable 
tumor have been successful in some patients.

PART 12
Endocrinology and Metabolism
Insulinoma 
These β islet cell insulin-secreting tumors represent 
10–30% of all pancreatic tumors in patients with MEN 1. Patients with 
an insulinoma present with hypoglycemic symptoms (e.g., weakness, 
headaches, sweating, faintness, seizures, altered behavior, weight gain) 
that typically develop after fasting or exertion and improve after glucose 
intake. The most reliable test is a supervised 72-h fast. Biochemical inves­
tigations reveal increased plasma insulin concentrations in association 
with hypoglycemia (Table 400-3). Circulating concentrations of C pep­
tide and proinsulin, which are also increased, are useful in establishing 
the diagnosis. It also is important to demonstrate the absence of sulfo­
nylureas in plasma and urine samples obtained during the investigation 
of hypoglycemia (Table 400-3). Surgical success is greatly enhanced by 
preoperative localization by endoscopic ultrasonography, CT scanning, 
or celiac axis angiography. Additional localization methods may include 
preoperative and perioperative percutaneous transhepatic portal venous 
sampling, selective intraarterial stimulation with hepatic venous sam­
pling, and intraoperative direct pancreatic ultrasonography. Insulinomas 
occur in association with gastrinomas in 10% of patients with MEN 1, 
and the two tumors may arise at different times. Insulinomas occur more 
often in patients with MEN 1 who are aged <40 years, and some arise in 
individuals aged <20 years. In contrast, in patients without MEN 1, insu­
linomas generally occur in those aged >40 years. Insulinomas may be the 
first manifestation of MEN 1 in 10% of patients, and ~4% of patients with 
insulinomas will have MEN 1.
TREATMENT
Insulinoma
Medical treatment, which consists of frequent carbohydrate meals 
and diazoxide or octreotide, is not always successful, and surgery 
is the optimal treatment. Surgical treatment, which ranges from 
enucleation of a single tumor to a distal pancreatectomy or partial 
pancreatectomy, has been curative in many patients. Chemotherapy 
(streptozotocin, 5-fluorouracil, and doxorubicin), PRRT (e.g., with 
177Lu-DOTATATE), or hepatic artery embolization has been used 
for metastatic disease.
Glucagonoma 
These glucagon-secreting pancreatic NETs occur in 
<3% of patients with MEN 1. The characteristic clinical manifestations 
of a skin rash (necrolytic migratory erythema), weight loss, anemia, 
and stomatitis may be absent. The tumor may have been detected in an 
asymptomatic patient with MEN 1 undergoing pancreatic imaging or 
by the finding of glucose intolerance and hyperglucagonemia.
TREATMENT
Glucagonoma
Surgical removal of the glucagonoma is the treatment of choice. 
However, treatment may be difficult because ~50–80% of patients 
have metastases at the time of diagnosis. Medical treatment 
with SSAs (e.g., octreotide or lanreotide) or chemotherapy with 

streptozotocin and 5-fluorouracil has been successful in some 
patients, and hepatic artery embolization has been used to treat 
metastatic disease.
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) Tumors (VIPomas) 

VIPomas have been reported in only a few patients with MEN 1. This 
clinical syndrome is characterized by watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, 
and achlorhydria (WDHA syndrome), which is also referred to as the 
Verner-Morrison syndrome, or the VIPoma syndrome. The diagnosis 
is established by excluding laxative and diuretic abuse, confirming a 
stool volume in excess of 0.5–1.0 L/d during a fast, and documenting a 
markedly increased plasma VIP concentration.
TREATMENT
VIPomas
Surgical management of VIPomas, which are mostly located in 
the tail of the pancreas, can be curative. However, in patients 
with unresectable tumor, SSAs, such as octreotide and lanreotide, 
may be effective. Streptozotocin with 5-fluorouracil may be ben­
eficial, along with hepatic artery embolization for the treatment of 
metastases.
Pancreatic Polypeptide-Secreting Tumors (PPomas) and 
Nonfunctioning Pancreatic NETs 
PPomas are found in a large 
number of patients with MEN 1. No pathologic sequelae of excessive 
polypeptide (PP) secretion are apparent, and the clinical significance 
of PP is unknown. Many PPomas may have been unrecognized or clas­
sified as nonfunctioning pancreatic NETs, which likely represent the 
most common enteropancreatic NET associated with MEN 1 (Fig. 400-1). 
The absence of both a clinical syndrome and specific biochemical 
abnormalities may result in a delayed diagnosis of nonfunctioning 
pancreatic NETs, which are associated with a worse prognosis than 
other functioning tumors, including insulinoma and gastrinoma. The 
optimum screening method and its timing interval for nonfunctioning 
pancreatic NETs remain to be established. At present, endoscopic ultra­
sound likely represents the most sensitive method of detecting small 
pancreatic tumors, but SRS is the most reliable method for detecting 
metastatic disease (Table 400-3).
FIGURE 400-1  Pancreatic nonfunctioning neuroendocrine tumor (NET) in a 
32-year-old patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1). An 
abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed a low-intensity >3.0 cm 
(anteroposterior maximal diameter) tumor within the body of pancreas. There 
was no evidence of invasion of adjacent structures or metastases. The tumor is 
indicated by white dashed circle.

TREATMENT
PPomas and Nonfunctioning Pancreatic NETs
The management of nonfunctioning pancreatic NETs in the asymp­
tomatic patient is controversial. One recommendation is to under­
take surgery irrespective of tumor size after biochemical assessment 
is complete. Alternatively, other experts recommend surgery based 
on tumor size, using either >1 cm or >2 cm at different centers. Pan­
creatoduodenal surgery is successful in removing the tumors in 80% 
of patients, but >40% of patients develop complications, including 
diabetes mellitus, frequent steatorrhea, early and late dumping syn­
dromes, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. However, ~50–60% 
of patients treated surgically survive >5 years. When considering 
these recommendations, it is important to consider that occult met­
astatic disease (e.g., tumors not detected by imaging investigations) 
is likely to be present in a substantial proportion of these patients 
at the time of presentation. Inhibitors of tyrosine kinase receptors 
(TKRs) and of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal­
ing pathway have been reported to be effective in treating pancre­
atic NET metastases and in doubling the progression-free survival 
time. Additional treatments for metastatic disease include PRRT 
using 177Lu-DOTATATE, chemotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, 
transarterial chemoembolization, and SIRT.
Other Pancreatic NETs 
NETs secreting growth hormone–releasing 
hormone (GHRH), GHRHomas, have been reported rarely in patients 
with MEN 1. It is estimated that ~33% of patients with GHRHomas 
have other MEN 1–related tumors. GHRHomas may be diagnosed by 
demonstrating elevated serum concentrations of growth hormone and 
GHRH. More than 50% of GHRHomas occur in the lung, 30% occur 
in the pancreas, and 10% are found in the small intestine. Somatostati­
nomas secrete somatostatin, a peptide that inhibits the secretion of a 
variety of hormones, resulting in hyperglycemia, cholelithiasis, low acid 
output, steatorrhea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anemia, and weight loss. 
Although 7% of pancreatic NETs secrete somatostatin, the clinical fea­
tures of somatostatinoma syndrome are unusual in patients with MEN 1.
Pituitary Tumors (See also Chap. 392) 
Pituitary tumors occur 
in 15–50% of patients with MEN 1 (Table 400-1), and ~75% of these are 
microadenomas (<1 cm diameter). The tumors occur as early as 5 years 
of age or as late as the ninth decade. MEN 1 pituitary adenomas are 
more frequent in women than men, in whom they are often macroad­
enomas (>1 cm diameter). There are no specific histologic parameters 
that differentiate between MEN 1 and non–MEN 1 pituitary tumors. 
Approximately 60% of MEN 1–associated pituitary tumors secrete pro­
lactin, <25% secrete growth hormone, 5% secrete adrenocorticotropic 
hormone (ACTH), and the remainder appear to be nonfunctioning, 
with some secreting glycoprotein subunits (Table 400-1). However, 
pituitary tumors derived from MEN 1 patients may exhibit immunore­
activity to several hormones. In particular, there is a greater frequency 
of somatolactotrope tumors. Prolactinomas are the first manifestation 
of MEN 1 in ~15% of patients, whereas somatotrope tumors occur 
more often in patients aged >40 years. Fewer than 3% of patients with 
anterior pituitary tumors will have MEN 1. Clinical manifestations 
are similar to those in patients with sporadic pituitary tumors without 
MEN 1 and depend on the hormone secreted and the size of the pitu­
itary tumor. Thus, patients may have symptoms of hyperprolactinemia 
(e.g., amenorrhea, infertility, and galactorrhea in women, or impotence 
and infertility in men) or have features of acromegaly or Cushing’s 
disease. In addition, enlarging pituitary tumors may compress adjacent 
structures such as the optic chiasm or normal pituitary tissue, causing 
visual disturbances and/or hypopituitarism. In asymptomatic patients 
with MEN 1, periodic biochemical monitoring of serum prolactin and 
insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels, as well as MRI of the pitu­
itary, can lead to early identification of pituitary tumors (Table 400-3). In 
patients with abnormal results, hypothalamic-pituitary testing should 
characterize the nature of the pituitary lesion and its effects on the 
secretion of other pituitary hormones.

TREATMENT
Pituitary Tumors
Treatment of pituitary tumors in patients with MEN 1 consists 
of therapies similar to those used in patients without MEN 1 and 
includes appropriate medical therapy (e.g., bromocriptine or caber­
goline for prolactinoma; or octreotide or lanreotide for somatotrope 
tumors) or selective transsphenoidal adenomectomy, if feasible, 
with radiotherapy reserved for residual unresectable tumor tissue.
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes 
CHAPTER 400
Associated Tumors 
Patients with MEN 1 may also develop carci­
noid tumors, adrenal cortical tumors, facial angiofibromas, collageno­
mas, thyroid tumors, and lipomatous tumors.
Carcinoid Tumors (See also Chap. 89) 
Carcinoid tumors 
occur in >3% of patients with MEN 1 (Table 400-1). The carcinoid 
tumor may be located in the bronchi, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, 
or thymus. At the time of diagnosis, most patients are asymptomatic 
and do not have clinical features of the carcinoid syndrome. Impor­
tantly, no hormonal or biochemical abnormality (e.g., plasma chro­
mogranin A) is consistently observed in individuals with thymic or 
bronchial carcinoid tumors. Thus, screening for these tumors is depen­
dent on radiologic imaging. The optimum method for screening has 
not been established. Low-dose CT and MRI are sensitive for detecting 
thymic and bronchial tumors (Table 400-3), although repeated CT 
scanning raises concern about exposure to repeated doses of ionizing 
radiation. Octreotide scintigraphy may also reveal some thymic and 
bronchial carcinoids, although there is insufficient evidence to recom­
mend its routine use. Gastric carcinoids, of which the type II gastric 
enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cell carcinoids (ECLomas) are associated 
with MEN 1 and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, may be detected inci­
dentally at the time of gastric endoscopy for dyspeptic symptoms in 
MEN 1 patients. These tumors, which may be found in >10% of MEN 
1 patients, are usually multiple and sized <1.5 cm. Bronchial carcinoids 
in patients with MEN 1 occur predominantly in women (male-tofemale ratio, 1:4). In contrast, thymic carcinoids in European patients 
with MEN 1 occur predominantly in men (male-to-female ratio, 20:1), 
with cigarette smokers having a higher risk for these tumors; thymic 
carcinoids in Japanese patients with MEN 1 have a less marked sex dif­
ference (male-to-female ratio 2:1). The course of thymic carcinoids in 
MEN 1 appears to be particularly aggressive. The presence of thymic 
tumors in patients with MEN 1 is associated with a median survival 
after diagnosis of ~9.5 years, with 70% of patients dying as a direct 
result of the tumor.
TREATMENT
Carcinoid Tumors
If resectable, surgical removal of carcinoid tumors is the treatment 
of choice. For patients with unresectable tumors and those with 
metastatic disease, treatment with SSAs, radiotherapy, chemothera­
peutic agents (e.g., fluorouracil, temozolomide, cisplatin, etopo­
side), mTOR inhibitors (e.g., everolimus), or PRRT therapy has 
resulted in symptom improvement and regression of some tumors. 
Little is known about the malignant potential of gastric type II 
ECLomas, but treatment with SSAs has resulted in regression of 
these ECLomas.
Adrenocortical Tumors (See also Chap. 398) 
Asymptom­
atic adrenocortical tumors occur in 20–70% of patients with MEN 1 
depending on the radiologic screening methods used (Table 400-1). 
Most of these tumors, which include cortical adenomas, hyperplasia, 
multiple adenomas, nodular hyperplasia, cysts, and carcinomas, are 
nonfunctioning. Indeed, <10% of patients with enlarged adrenal glands 
have hormonal hypersecretion, with primary hyperaldosteronism and 
ACTH-independent Cushing’s syndrome being encountered most 
commonly. Occasionally, hyperandrogenemia may occur in association 
with adrenocortical carcinoma. Pheochromocytoma in association

with MEN 1 is rare. Biochemical investigation (e.g., plasma renin and 
aldosterone concentrations, low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, 
urinary catecholamines, and/or metanephrines) should be undertaken 
in those with symptoms or signs suggestive of functioning adrenal 
tumors or in those with tumors >1 cm. Adrenocortical carcinoma 
occurs in ~1% of MEN 1 patients but increases to >10% for adrenal 
tumors >1 cm.

TREATMENT
Adrenocortical Tumors
PART 12
Endocrinology and Metabolism
Consensus has not been reached about the management of MEN 
1–associated nonfunctioning adrenal tumors, because the majority 
are benign. However, the risk of malignancy increases with size, 
particularly for tumors with a diameter >4 cm. Indications for 
surgery for adrenal tumors include size >4 cm in diameter, atypical 
or suspicious radiologic features (e.g., increased Hounsfield unit on 
unenhanced CT scan) and size of 1–4 cm in diameter, or significant 
measurable growth over a 6-month period. The treatment of func­
tioning (e.g., hormone-secreting) adrenal tumors is similar to that 
for tumors occurring in non–MEN 1 patients.
Meningioma 
Central nervous system (CNS) tumors, including 
ependymomas, schwannomas, and meningiomas, have been reported 
in MEN 1 patients (Table 400-1). Meningiomas are found in <10% of 
patients with other clinical manifestations of MEN 1 (e.g., primary 
hyperparathyroidism) for >15 years. The majority of meningiomas are 
not associated with symptoms, and 60% do not enlarge. The treatment 
of MEN 1–associated meningiomas is similar to that in non–MEN 1 
patients.
Lipomas 
Subcutaneous lipomas occur in >33% of patients with 
MEN 1 (Table 400-1) and are frequently multiple. In addition, visceral, 
pleural, or retroperitoneal lipomas may occur in patients with MEN 1. 
Management is conservative. However, when surgically removed for 
cosmetic reasons, they typically do not recur.
Facial Angiofibromas and Collagenomas 
The occurrence of 
multiple facial angiofibromas in patients with MEN 1 may range from 
>20 to >90%, and occurrence of collagenomas may range from 0 to 
>70% (Table 400-1). These cutaneous findings may allow presymp­
tomatic diagnosis of MEN 1 in the relatives of a patient with MEN 1. 
Treatment for these cutaneous lesions is usually not required.
Thyroid Tumors 
Thyroid tumors, including adenomas, colloid 
goiters, and carcinomas, have been reported to occur in >25% of 
patients with MEN 1. However, the prevalence of thyroid disorders 
in the general population is high, and it has been suggested that the 
association of thyroid abnormalities in patients with MEN 1 may be 
incidental. The treatment of thyroid tumors in MEN 1 patients is simi­
lar to that for non–MEN 1 patients.
Genetics and Screening 
The MEN1 gene is located on chromo­
some 11q13 and consists of 10 exons, which encode a 610–amino 
acid protein, menin, that regulates transcription, genome stability, cell 
division, and proliferation. The pathophysiology of MEN 1 follows the 
Knudson two-hit hypothesis with a tumor-suppressor role for menin. 
Inheritance of a germline MEN1 mutation predisposes an individual 
to developing a tumor that arises following a somatic mutation, which 
may be a point mutation or more commonly a deletion, leading to loss 
of heterozygosity (LOH) in the tumor DNA. The germline mutations 
of the MEN1 gene are scattered throughout the entire 1830-bp coding 
region and splice sites, and there is no apparent correlation between the 
location of MEN1 mutations and clinical manifestations of the disor­
der, in contrast with the situation in patients with MEN 2 (Table 400-1). 
More than 10% of MEN1 germline mutations arise de novo and may 
be transmitted to subsequent generations. Some families with MEN 
1 mutations develop parathyroid tumors as the sole endocrinopathy, 
and this condition is referred to as familial isolated hyperparathyroid­
ism (FIHP). However, between 5 and 25% of patients with MEN 1 do 

not harbor germline mutations or deletions of the MEN1 gene. Such 
patients with MEN 1–associated tumors but without MEN1 mutations 
may represent phenocopies or have mutations involving other genes. 
Other genes associated with MEN 1–like features include CDKN1B, 
which encodes p27kip1; mutations result in MEN4 (see below) (Table 
400-1). Mutations in CDC73, which encodes parafibromin, result in 
the HPT-JT syndrome; mutations in the calcium-sensing receptor gene 
(CaSR) result in familial benign hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FBHH); 
mutations in MAX, which encodes Myc-associated factor X, result in 
MEN5, and mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting 
protein gene (AIP), a tumor suppressor located on chromosome 11q13, 
are associated with familial isolated pituitary adenomas (FIPA). Genetic 
testing to determine the MEN1 mutation status in symptomatic family 
members within a MEN 1 kindred, as well as in all index cases (e.g., 
patients) with two or more endocrine tumors, is advisable. If a MEN1 
mutation is not identified in the index case with two or more endocrine 
tumors, clinical and genetic tests for other disorders such as HPT-JT syn­
drome, FBHH, FIPA, MEN 2, or MEN 4 should be considered because 
these patients may represent phenocopies for MEN 1.
The current guidelines recommend that MEN1 mutational analysis 
should be undertaken in (1) an index case with two or more MEN 1–
associated endocrine tumors (e.g., parathyroid, pancreatic, or pituitary 
tumors); (2) asymptomatic first-degree relatives of a known MEN1 
mutation carrier; and (3) first-degree relatives of a MEN1 mutation 
carrier with symptoms, signs, or biochemical or radiologic evidence for 
one or more MEN 1–associated tumors. In addition, MEN1 mutational 
analysis should be considered in patients with suspicious or atypical 
MEN 1. This would include individuals with parathyroid adenomas 
before the age of 30 years or multigland parathyroid disease; individuals 
with gastrinoma or multiple pancreatic NETs at any age; or individuals 
who have two or more MEN 1–associated tumors that are not part of 
the classical triad of parathyroid, pancreatic islet, and anterior pituitary 
tumors (e.g., parathyroid tumor plus adrenal tumor). Family members, 
including asymptomatic individuals who have been identified to harbor 
a MEN1 mutation, will require biochemical and radiologic screening 
(Table 400-3). In contrast, relatives who do not harbor the MEN1 muta­
tion have a risk of developing MEN 1–associated endocrine tumors that 
is similar to that of the general population; thus, relatives without the 
MEN1 mutation do not require repeated screening.
Mutational analysis in asymptomatic individuals should be under­
taken at the earliest opportunity and, if possible, in the first decade of 
life because tumors have developed in some children by the age of 5 years. 
Appropriate biochemical and radiologic investigations (Table 400-3) 
aimed at detecting the development of tumors should then be under­
taken in affected individuals. Mutant gene carriers should undergo 
biochemical screening at least once per annum and also have baseline 
pituitary and abdominal imaging (e.g., MRI or CT), which should then 
be repeated at 1- to 3-year intervals (Table 400-3). Screening should 
commence after 5 years of age and should continue for life because 
the disease may develop as late as the eighth decade. The screening 
history and physical examination elicit the symptoms and signs of 
hypercalcemia; nephrolithiasis; peptic ulcer disease; neuroglycopenia; 
hypopituitarism; galactorrhea and amenorrhea in women; acromegaly; 
Cushing’s disease; and visual field loss and the presence of subcutane­
ous lipomas, angiofibromas, and collagenomas. Biochemical screening 
should include measurements of serum calcium, PTH, gastrointestinal 
hormones (e.g., gastrin, insulin with a fasting glucose, glucagon, VIP, 
PP), chromogranin A, prolactin, and IGF-1 in all individuals. More 
specific endocrine function tests should be undertaken in individuals 
who have symptoms or signs suggestive of a specific clinical syndrome. 
Biochemical screening for the development of MEN 1 tumors in 
asymptomatic members of families with MEN 1 is of great importance 
to reduce morbidity and mortality from the associated tumors.
■
■MULTIPLE ENDOCRINE NEOPLASIA TYPE 2 AND 
TYPE 3
Clinical Manifestations 
MEN type 2 (MEN 2), which is also called 
Sipple’s syndrome, is characterized by the association of medullary

TABLE 400-4  Recommendations for Tests and Surgery in MEN 2 and MEN 3a
RET MUTATION, EXON (EX) LOCATION, 
AND CODON INVOLVED
RISKb
RET MUTATIONAL 
ANALYSIS
Ex8 (533)c; Ex10 (609, 611, 618, 620)c; Ex11 
(630, 631, 666)c; Ex13 (768, 790)c; Ex14 
(804)c; Ex15 (891)c; EX16 (912)c
+
<3–5

<5d
16e

Ex11 (634)c; Ex15 (883)c
++
<3
<3
<5f
11e

Ex15 (883)g; Ex16 (918)g
+++
ASAP and by <1
ASAP and by <0.5–1
ASAP and by <1
11e
—h
aData from American Thyroid Association Guidelines Task Force, RT Kloos et al: Medullary thyroid cancer: management guidelines of the American Thyroid Association. 
Thyroid 19:565, 2009 and revised from SA Wells Jr et al: Revised American Thyroid Association guidelines for the management of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Thyroid 
25:567, 2015. bRisk for early development of metastasis and aggressive growth of medullary thyroid cancer: +++, highest; ++, high; and + moderate. cMutations associated 
with MEN 2A (or medullary thyroid carcinoma only). dTiming of surgery to be based on elevation of serum calcitonin and/or joint discussion with pediatrician, surgeon, 
and parent/family. Later surgery may be appropriate if serum calcitonin and neck ultrasound are normal. ePresence of pheochromocytoma must be excluded prior to 
any surgical intervention and also in women with RET mutation who are planning pregnancy or are pregnant. fSurgery earlier than 5 years based on elevation of serum 
calcitonin. Optimal timing of surgery should be decided by the surgeon and pediatrician, in consultation with the child’s parent. gMutations associated with MEN 2B 
(MEN 3). hNot required because PHPT is not a feature of MEN 2B (MEN 3).
Abbreviations: ASAP, as soon as possible; MEN, multiple endocrine neoplasia; PHPT, primary hyperparathyroidism.
thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytomas, and parathyroid 
tumors (Table 400-1). Three clinical variants of MEN 2 are recognized: 
MEN 2A, MEN 2B, and MTC only. MEN 2A, which is often referred to 
as MEN 2, is the most common variant. In MEN 2A, MTC is associated 
with pheochromocytomas in 50% of patients (may be bilateral) and 
with parathyroid tumors in 20% of patients. MEN 2A may rarely occur 
in association with Hirschsprung’s disease, caused by the absence of 
autonomic ganglion cells in the terminal hindgut, resulting in colonic 
dilatation, severe constipation, and obstruction. MEN 2A may also 
be associated with cutaneous lichen amyloidosis, which is a pruritic 
lichenoid lesion that is usually located on the upper back. MEN 2B, 
which is also referred to as MEN 3, represents 5% of all cases of MEN 
2 and is characterized by the occurrence of MTC and pheochromocy­
toma in association with a Marfanoid habitus; mucosal neuromas of 
the lips, tongue, and eyelids; medullated corneal fibers; and intestinal 
autonomic ganglion dysfunction leading to multiple diverticulae and 
megacolon. Parathyroid tumors do not usually occur in MEN 2B. MTC 
only (FMTC) is a variant in which MTC is the sole manifestation of the 
syndrome. However, the distinction between FMTC and MEN 2A is 
difficult and should only be considered if there are at least four family 
members aged >50 years who are affected by MTC but not pheochro­
mocytomas or primary hyperparathyroidism. All of the MEN 2 vari­
ants are due to mutations of the rearranged during transfection (RET) 
protooncogene, which encodes a TKR. Moreover, there is a correlation 
between the locations of RET mutations and MEN 2 variants. Thus, 
~95% of MEN 2A patients have mutations involving the cysteine-rich 
extracellular domain, with mutations of codon 634 accounting for 
~85% of MEN 2A mutations; FMTC patients also have mutations of 
the cysteine-rich extracellular domain, with most mutations occurring 
in codon 618. In contrast, ~95% of MEN 2B/MEN 3 patients have 
mutations of codon 918 of the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain 
(Table 400-1 and Table 400-4).
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma 
MTC is the most common 
feature of MEN 2A and MEN 2B and occurs in almost all affected 
individuals. MTC represents 5–10% of all thyroid gland carcinomas, 
and 20% of MTC patients have a family history of the disorder. The 
use of RET mutational analysis to identify family members at risk 
for hereditary forms of MTC has altered the presentation of MTC 
from that of symptomatic tumors to a preclinical disease for which 
prophylactic thyroidectomy (Table 400-4) is undertaken to improve 
the prognosis and ideally result in cure. However, in patients who do 
not have a known family history of MEN 2A, FMTC, or MEN 2B, and 
therefore have not had RET mutational analysis, MTC may present as 
a palpable mass in the neck, which may be asymptomatic or associated 
with symptoms of pressure or dysphagia in >15% of patients. Diar­
rhea occurs in 30% of patients and is associated either with elevated 
circulating concentrations of calcitonin or tumor-related secretion 
of serotonin and prostaglandins. Some patients may also experience 
flushing. In addition, ectopic ACTH production by MTC may cause 

RECOMMENDED AGE (YEARS) FOR TEST/INTERVENTION
FIRST SERUM 
CALCITONIN AND 
NECK ULTRASOUND
PROPHYLACTIC 
THYROIDECTOMY
SCREENING FOR 
PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA
SCREENING 
FOR PHPT
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes 
CHAPTER 400
Cushing’s syndrome. The diagnosis of MTC relies on the demonstra­
tion of hypercalcitoninemia (>90 pg/mL in the basal state); stimula­
tion tests using IV pentagastrin (0.5 mg/kg) and or calcium infusion 
(2 mg/kg) are rarely used now, reflecting improvements in the assay 
for calcitonin. Neck ultrasonography with fine-needle aspiration of 
the nodules can confirm the diagnosis. Radionucleotide thyroid scans 
may reveal MTC tumors as “cold” nodules. Radiography may reveal 
dense irregular calcification within the involved portions of the thyroid 
gland and in lymph nodes involved with metastases. Positron emis­
sion tomography (PET) may help to identify the MTC and metastases 
(Fig. 400-2). Metastases of MTC usually occur to the cervical lymph 
nodes in the early stages and to the mediastinal nodes, lung, liver, 
trachea, adrenal, esophagus, and bone in later stages. Elevations in 
serum calcitonin concentrations are often the first sign of recurrence 
or persistent disease, and the serum calcitonin doubling time is useful 
for determining prognosis. MTC can have an aggressive clinical course, 
with early metastases and death in ~10% of patients. A family history 
of aggressive MTC or MEN 2B may be elicited.
TREATMENT
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma
Individuals with RET mutations who do not have clinical mani­
festations of MTC should be offered prophylactic surgery between 
the ages of <1 and 5 years. The timing of surgery will depend on 
the type of RET mutation and its associated risk for early develop­
ment, metastasis, and aggressive growth of MTC (Table 400-4). 
Such patients should have a total thyroidectomy with a systematic 
central neck dissection to remove occult nodal metastasis, although 
the value of undertaking a central neck dissection has been sub­
ject to debate. Prophylactic thyroidectomy, with lifelong thyroxine 
replacement, has dramatically improved outcomes in patients with 
MEN 2 and MEN 3, such that ~90% of young patients with RET 
mutations who had a prophylactic thyroidectomy have no evidence 
of persistent or recurrent MTC at 7 years after surgery. In patients 
with clinically evident MTC, a total thyroidectomy with bilateral 
central resection is recommended, and an ipsilateral lateral neck 
dissection should be undertaken if the primary tumor is >1 cm in 
size or there is evidence of nodal metastasis in the central neck. 
Surgery is the only curative therapy for MTC. The 10-year survival 
in patients with metastatic MTC is ~20%. For inoperable MTC or 
metastatic disease, TKR inhibitors (e.g., vandetanib, cabozantinib, 
selpercatinib) have improved the progression-free survival times. 
Among these, selpercatinib is more selective for the RET kinase and 
is most effective. PRRT with 177Lu-DOTATATE has been reported 
to be beneficial for metastatic MTCs that were found by SRS to 
express somatostatin receptors. Other types of chemotherapy are of 
limited efficacy, but radiotherapy may help to palliate local disease.

[H]
FDG avid MTC
in neck
PART 12
Endocrinology and Metabolism
Metastatic
MTC in
liver
FDG avid adrenal
pheochromocytoma
[F]
FIGURE 400-2  Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography scan in 
a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A, showing medullary thyroid 
cancer (MTC) with hepatic and skeletal (left arm) metastasis and a left adrenal 
pheochromocytoma. Note the presence of excreted FDG compound in the bladder. 
(Reproduced with permission from A Naziat et al: Confusing genes: A patient with 
MEN2A and Cushing’s disease. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 78:966, 2013.)
Pheochromocytoma (See also Chap. 399) 
These noradrena­
line- and adrenaline-secreting tumors occur in >50% of patients with 
MEN 2A and MEN 2B and are a major cause of morbidity and mortal­
ity. Patients may have symptoms and signs of catecholamine secretion 
(e.g., headaches, palpitations, sweating, poorly controlled hyperten­
sion), or they may be asymptomatic with detection through biochemi­
cal screening based on a history of familial MEN 2A, MEN 2B, or 
MTC. Pheochromocytomas in patients with MEN 2A and MEN 2B 
differ significantly in distribution when compared with patients with­
out MEN 2A and MEN 2B. Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas, which 
occur in 10% of patients without MEN 2A and MEN 2B, are observed 
rarely in patients with MEN 2A and MEN 2B. Malignant pheochromo­
cytomas are much less common in patients with MEN 2A and MEN 
2B. The biochemical and radiologic investigation of pheochromocy­
toma in patients with MEN 2A and MEN 2B is similar to that in non–
MEN 2 patients and includes the measurement of plasma (obtained 
from supine patients) and urinary free fractionated metanephrines 
(e.g., normetanephrine and metanephrines measured separately), CT 
or MRI scanning, radionuclide scanning with meta-iodo-(123I or 131I)-
benzyl guanidine (MIBG), and PET using (18F)-fluorodopamine or 
(18F)-fluoro-2-dexoxy-D-glucose (Fig. 400-2).
TREATMENT
Pheochromocytoma
Surgical removal of pheochromocytoma, using α and β adreno­
receptor blockade before and during the operation, is the rec­
ommended treatment. Other antihypertensive agents, including 
calcium channel blockers, are sometimes required for adequate 
blood pressure control. Endoscopic adrenal-sparing surgery, which 

decreases postoperative morbidity, hospital stay, and expense, as 
opposed to open surgery, has become the method of choice.
Parathyroid Tumors (See also Chap. 422) 
Parathyroid tumors 
occur in 10–25% of patients with MEN 2A. However, >50% of these 
patients do not have hypercalcemia. The presence of abnormally 
enlarged parathyroids, which are unusually hyperplastic, is often seen 
in the normocalcemic patient undergoing thyroidectomy for MTC. 
The biochemical investigation and treatment of hypercalcemic patients 
with MEN 2A is similar to that of patients with MEN 1.
Genetics and Screening 
To date, ~50 different RET muta­
tions have been reported, and these are located in exons 5, 8, 10, 
11, 13, 14, 15, and 16. RET germline mutations are detected in 
>95% of MEN 2A, FMTC, and MEN 2B families, with Cys634Arg 
being most common in MEN 2A, Cys618Arg being most common in 
FMTC, and Met918Thr being most common in MEN 2B (Tables 400-1 
and 400-4). Between 5 and 10% of patients with MTC or MEN 2A–
associated tumors have de novo RET germline mutations, and ~50% of 
patients with MEN 2B have de novo RET germline mutations. These de 
novo RET germline mutations always occur on the paternal allele. 
Approximately 5% of patients with sporadic pheochromocytoma have 
a germline RET mutation, but such germline RET mutations do not 
appear to be associated with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism. 
Thus, RET mutational analysis should be performed in (1) all patients 
with MTC who have a family history of tumors associated with MEN 
2, FMTC, or MEN 3, such that the diagnosis can be confirmed and 
genetic testing offered to asymptomatic relatives; (2) all patients with 
MTC and pheochromocytoma without a known family history of MEN 
2 or MEN 3; (3) all patients with MTC, but without a family history of 
MEN 2, FMTC, or MEN 3, because these patients may have a de novo 
germline RET mutations; (4) all patients with bilateral pheochromocy­
toma; and (5) patients with unilateral pheochromocytoma, particularly 
if this occurs with increased calcitonin levels.
Screening for MEN 2/MEN 3–associated tumors in patients with 
RET germline mutations should be undertaken annually and include 
serum calcitonin measurements, a neck ultrasound for MTC, plasma 
(or 24-h urinary) fractionated metanephrines for pheochromocytoma, 
and albumin-corrected serum calcium or ionized calcium with PTH 
for primary hyperparathyroidism. In patients with MEN 2–associated 
RET mutations, screening for MTC should begin by 1–5 years, for 
pheochromocytoma by 11–16 years, and for primary hyperparathy­
roidism by 11–16 years of age (Table 400-4).
■
■MULTIPLE ENDOCRINE NEOPLASIA TYPE 4
Clinical Manifestations 
Patients with MEN 1–associated tumors, 
such as parathyroid adenomas, pituitary adenomas, and pancreatic 
NETs, occurring in association with gonadal, adrenal, renal, and thy­
roid tumors have been reported to have mutations of the gene encod­
ing the 196–amino acid cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CK1) p27 
kip1 (CDKN1B). Such families with MEN 1–associated tumors and 
CDKN1B mutations are designated to have MEN 4 (Table 400-1). The 
investigations and treatments for the MEN 4–associated tumors are 
similar to those for MEN 1 and non–MEN 1 tumors.
Genetics and Screening 
To date, 50 MEN patients (from <20 
kindreds) with mutations of CDKN1B, which is located on chromo­
some 12p13, have been reported, and all of these are predicted to result 
in a loss of function. These MEN 4 patients may represent ~3% of the 5–10% 
of patients with MEN 1 who do not have mutations of the MEN1 gene. 
Germline CDKN1B mutations may rarely be found in patients with sporadic 
(i.e., nonfamilial) forms of primary hyperparathyroidism.
■
■MULTIPLE ENDOCRINE NEOPLASIA TYPE 5
Clinical Manifestations 
Two kindreds in whom multiple endo­
crine tumors were associated with heterozygous germline MAX 
mutations have been reported. Although MAX mutations have been 
described in rare cases of hereditary pheochromocytoma and para­
ganglioma, the occurrence of these tumors in these kindreds was also

associated with pituitary adenomas, parathyroid adenomas, and non­
endocrine tumors including chondrosarcoma, lung adenocarcinoma, 
ganglioneuroma, and neuroblastoma. Additional tumors reported in 
patients with germline MAX mutations include pancreatic NETs, renal 
oncocytomas, and renal carcinoma.
Genetics and Screening 
The MAX gene is located on chromo­
some 14q23.3 and encodes the ubiquitously expressed MYC-associated 
factor X transcription factor, which is presumed to act as a tumor 
suppressor. The spectrum of clinical manifestations associated with 
germline MAX mutations and MEN 5 remains to be fully defined, 
although most patients appear to have development of early-onset 
pheochromocytoma.
■
■HYPERPARATHYROIDISM-JAW TUMOR 
SYNDROME (SEE ALSO CHAP. 422)
Clinical Manifestations 
Hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor (HPTJT) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the 
development of parathyroid tumors (15% are carcinomas) and fibroosseous jaw tumors. In addition, some patients may also develop Wilms’ 
tumors, renal cysts, renal hamartomas, renal cortical adenomas, renal 
cell carcinoma (RCC), pancreatic adenocarcinomas, uterine tumors, 
testicular mixed germ cell tumors with a major seminoma component, 
and Hürthle cell thyroid adenomas. The parathyroid tumors may occur 
in isolation and without any evidence of jaw tumors, and this may 
cause confusion with other hereditary hypercalcemic disorders, such as 
MEN 1. However, genetic testing to identify the causative mutation will 
help to establish the correct diagnosis. The investigation and treatment 
for HPT-JT–associated tumors are similar to those in non-HPT-JT 
patients, except that early parathyroidectomy is advisable because of 
the increased frequency of parathyroid carcinoma.
Genetics and Screening 
The gene that causes HPT-JT is 
located on chromosome 1q31.2 and encodes a 531–amino acid 
protein, parafibromin (Table 400-2). Parafibromin is also referred 
to as cell division cycle protein 73 (CDC73) and has a role in transcrip­
tion. Genetic testing in families helps to identify mutation carriers 
who should be periodically screened for the development of tumors 
(Table 400-5).
■
■VON HIPPEL–LINDAU DISEASE (SEE ALSO CHAP. 399)
Clinical Manifestations 
von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease is 
an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by hemangioblasto­
mas of the retina and CNS; cysts involving the kidneys, pancreas, 
and epididymis; RCC; pheochromocytomas; and pancreatic islet cell 
tumors. The retinal and CNS hemangioblastomas are benign vascular 
tumors that may be multiple; those in the CNS may cause symptoms 
TABLE 400-5  HPT-JT Screening Guidelines
TUMORa
TEST
FREQUENCYb
Parathyroid
Serum Ca, PTH
6–12 months
Ossifying jaw fibroma
Panoramic jaw x-ray with neck 
shieldingc
5 years
Renal
Abdominal MRIc,d
5 years
Uterine
Ultrasound (transvaginal or 
transabdominal) and additional imaging 
± D&C if indicatede
Annual
aScreening for most common HPT-JT–associated tumors is considered. Assessment 
for other reported tumor types may be indicated (e.g., pancreatic, thyroid, testicular 
tumors). bFrequency of repeating test after baseline tests performed. cX-rays 
and imaging involving ionizing radiation should ideally be avoided to minimize 
risk of generating subsequent mutations. dUltrasound scan recommended if MRI 
unavailable. eSuch selective pelvic imaging should be considered after obtaining a 
detailed menstrual history.
Abbreviations: Ca, calcium; D&C, dilation and curettage; HPT-JT, 
hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; PTH, 
parathyroid hormone.
Source: Reproduced with permission from PJ Newey, MR Bowl, T Cranston et al: Cell 
division cycle protein 73 homolog (CDC73) mutations in the hyperparathyroidism-jaw 
tumor syndrome (HPT-JT) and parathyroid tumors. Hum Mutat 31:295, 2010.

by compressing adjacent structures and/or increasing intracranial 
pressure. In the CNS, the cerebellum and spinal cord are the most fre­
quently involved sites. The renal abnormalities consist of cysts and car­
cinomas, and the lifetime risk of RCC in VHL is 70%. The endocrine 
tumors in VHL consist of pheochromocytomas and pancreatic islet 
cell tumors. The clinical presentation of pheochromocytoma in VHL 
disease is similar to that in sporadic cases, except that there is a higher 
frequency of bilateral or multiple tumors, which may involve extraadrenal sites in VHL disease. The most frequent pancreatic lesions in 
VHL are multiple cyst-adenomas, which rarely cause clinical disease. 
However, nonsecreting pancreatic islet cell tumors occur in <10% of 
VHL patients, who are usually asymptomatic. The pancreatic tumors in 
these patients are often detected by regular screening using abdominal 
imaging. Pheochromocytomas should be investigated and treated as 
described earlier for MEN 2. The pancreatic islet cell tumors frequently 
become malignant, and early surgery is recommended.

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes 
CHAPTER 400
Genetics and Screening 
The VHL gene, which is located on 
chromosome 3p26-p25, is widely expressed in human tissues and 
encodes a 213–amino acid protein (pVHL) (Table 400-2). A wide 
variety of germline VHL mutations have been identified. VHL acts as a 
tumor-suppressor gene. A correlation between the type of mutation and 
the clinical phenotype has been reported; large deletions and proteintruncating mutations are associated with a low incidence of pheochro­
mocytomas, whereas some missense mutations in VHL patients are 
associated with pheochromocytoma (referred to as VHL type 2C). Other 
missense mutations may be associated with hemangioblastomas and 
RCC but not pheochromocytoma (referred to as VHL type 1), whereas 
distinct missense mutations are associated with hemangioblastomas, 
RCC, and pheochromocytoma (VHL type 2B). VHL type 2A, which 
refers to the occurrence of hemangioblastomas and pheochromocytoma 
without RCC, is associated with rare missense mutations. The basis for 
these complex genotype-phenotype relationships remains to be eluci­
dated. One major function of pVHL, which is also referred to as elongin, 
is to downregulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor 
(VEGF) and other hypoxia-inducible mRNAs. Thus, pVHL, in complex 
with other proteins, regulates the expression of hypoxia-inducible factors 
(HIF-1 and HIF-2) such that loss of functional pVHL leads to a stabiliza­
tion of the HIF protein complexes, resulting in VEGF overexpression 
and tumor angiogenesis. Screening for the development of pheochromo­
cytomas and pancreatic islet cell tumors is as described earlier for MEN 
2 and MEN 1, respectively (Tables 400-3 and 400-4).
■
■NEUROFIBROMATOSIS
Clinical Manifestations 
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), which 
is also referred to as von Recklinghausen’s disease, is an autosomal 
dominant disorder characterized by the following manifestations: 
neurologic (e.g., peripheral and spinal neurofibromas); ophthalmo­
logic (e.g., optic gliomas and iris hamartomas such as Lisch nodules); 
dermatologic (e.g., café au lait macules); skeletal (e.g., scoliosis, mac­
rocephaly, short stature, pseudoarthrosis); vascular (e.g., stenoses of 
renal and intracranial arteries); and endocrine (e.g., pheochromocy­
toma, carcinoid tumors, precocious puberty). Neurofibromatosis type 
2 (NF2) is also an autosomal dominant disorder but is characterized 
by the development of bilateral vestibular schwannomas (acoustic 
neuromas) that lead to deafness, tinnitus, or vertigo. Some patients 
with NF2 also develop meningiomas, spinal schwannomas, peripheral 
nerve neurofibromas, and café au lait macules. Endocrine abnormali­
ties are not found in NF2 and are associated solely with NF1. Pheo­
chromocytomas, carcinoid tumors, and precocious puberty occur in 
~1% of patients with NF1, and growth hormone deficiency has also 
been reported. The features of pheochromocytomas in NF1 are simi­
lar to those in non-NF1 patients, with 90% of tumors being located 
within the adrenal medulla and the remaining 10% at an extra-adrenal 
location, which often involves the para-aortic region. Primary carci­
noid tumors are often periampullary and may also occur in the ileum 
but rarely in the pancreas, thyroid, or lungs. Hepatic metastases are 
associated with symptoms of the carcinoid syndrome, which include 
flushing, diarrhea, bronchoconstriction, and tricuspid valve disease.

Precocious puberty is usually associated with the extension of an optic 
glioma into the hypothalamus with resultant early activation of gonad­
otropin-releasing hormone secretion. Growth hormone deficiency has 
also been observed in some NF1 patients, who may or may not have 
optic chiasmal gliomas, but it is important to note that short stature is 
frequent in the absence of growth hormone deficiency in patients with 
NF1. The investigation and treatment for tumors are similar to those 
undertaken for each respective tumor type in non-NF1 patients.
Genetics and Screening 
The NF1 gene, which is located on chro­
mosome 17q11.2 and acts as a tumor suppressor, consists of 60 exons 
that span >350 kb of genomic DNA (Table 400-2). Mutations in NF1 
are of diverse types and are scattered throughout the exons. The NF1 
gene product is the protein neurofibromin, which has homologies to the 
p120GAP (GTPase activating protein) and acts on p21ras by converting 
the active GTP bound form to its inactive GDP form. Mutations of NF1 
impair this downregulation of the p21ras signaling pathways, which in 
turn results in abnormal cell proliferation. Screening for the develop­
ment of pheochromocytomas and carcinoid tumors is as described 
earlier for MEN 2 and MEN 1, respectively (Tables 400-3 and 400-4).

PART 12
Endocrinology and Metabolism
■
■CARNEY COMPLEX
Clinical Manifestations 
Carney complex (CNC) is an autosomal 
dominant disorder characterized by spotty skin pigmentation (usually 
of the face, labia, and conjunctiva), myxomas (usually of the eyelids 
and heart, but also the tongue, palate, breast, and skin), psammoma­
tous melanotic schwannomas (usually of the sympathetic nerve chain 
and upper gastrointestinal tract), and endocrine tumors that involve 
the adrenals, Sertoli cells, somatotropes, thyroid, and ovary. Cushing’s 
syndrome, the result of primary pigmented nodular adrenal disease 
(PPNAD), is the most common endocrine manifestation of CNC and 
may occur in one-third of patients. Patients with CNC and Cushing’s 
syndrome often have an atypical appearance by being thin (as opposed 
to having truncal obesity). In addition, they may have short stature, 
muscle and skin wasting, and osteoporosis. These patients often have 
levels of urinary free cortisol that are normal or increased only margin­
ally. Cortisol production may fluctuate periodically with days or weeks 
of hypercortisolism; this pattern is referred to as “periodic Cushing’s 
syndrome.” Patients with Cushing’s syndrome usually have loss of the 
circadian rhythm of cortisol production. Acromegaly, the result of a 
somatotrope tumor, affects ~10% of patients with CNC. Testicular 
tumors may also occur in one-third of patients with CNC. These may 
either be large-cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumors, adrenocortical rests, 
or Leydig cell tumors. The Sertoli cell tumors occasionally may be 
estrogen-secreting and lead to precocious puberty or gynecomastia. 
Some patients with CNC have been reported to develop thyroid fol­
licular tumors, ovarian cysts, or breast duct adenomas.
Genetics and Screening 
CNC type 1 (CNC1) is due to 
mutations of the protein kinase A (PKA) regulatory subunit 1 α 
(R1α) (PRAKAR1A), a tumor suppressor, whose gene is located 
on chromosome 17q.24.2 (Table 400-2). The gene causing CNC type 2 
(CNC2) is located on chromosome 2p16 and has not yet been identi­
fied. It is interesting to note, however, that some tumors do not show 
LOH of 2p16 but instead show genomic instability, suggesting that this 
CNC gene may not be a tumor suppressor. Screening and treatment of 
these endocrine tumors are similar to those described earlier for 
patients with MEN 1 and MEN 2 (Tables 400-3 and 400-4).
■
■COWDEN’S SYNDROME
Clinical Manifestations 
Multiple hamartomatous lesions, espe­
cially of the skin, mucous membranes (e.g., buccal, intestinal, colonic), 
breast, and thyroid, are characteristic of Cowden’s syndrome (CWS), 
which is an autosomal dominant disorder. Thyroid abnormalities 
occur in two-thirds of patients with CWS, and these usually consist of 
multinodular goiters or benign adenomas, although <10% of patients 
may have a follicular thyroid carcinoma. Breast abnormalities occur in 
>75% of patients and consist of either fibrocystic disease or adenocar­
cinomas. The investigation and treatment for CWS tumors are similar 
to those undertaken for non-CWS patients.

Genetics and Screening 
CWS is genetically heterogenous, 
and seven types (CWS1–7) are recognized (Table 400-2). CWS1 is 
due to mutations of the phosphate and tensin homologue deleted 
on chromosome 10 (PTEN) gene, located on chromosome 10q23.31. 
CWS2 is caused by mutations of the succinate dehydrogenase subunit 
B (SDHB) gene, located on chromosome 1p36.13; and CWS3 is caused 
by mutations of the SDHD gene, located on chromosome 11q13.1. 
SDHB and SDHD mutations are also associated with pheochromocy­
toma. CWS4 is caused by hypermethylation of the Killin (KLLN) gene, 
the promoter of which shares the same transcription site as PTEN on 
chromosome 10q23.31. CWS5 is caused by mutations of the phospha­
tidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic alpha (PIK3CA) gene on chromosome 
3q26.32. CWS6 is caused by mutations of the V-Akt murine thymoma 
viral oncogene homolog 1 (AKT1) gene on chromosome 14q32.33, and 
CWS7 is caused by mutations of the saccharomyces cerevisiae homol­
ogy of B (SEC23B) gene on chromosome 20p11.23. Screening for thy­
roid abnormalities entails neck ultrasonography and fine-needle 
aspiration with analysis of cell cytology.
■
■MCCUNE-ALBRIGHT SYNDROME (SEE ALSO 
CHAP. 424)
Clinical Manifestations 
McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) is 
characterized by the triad of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, which 
may be associated with hypophosphatemic rickets; café au lait skin 
pigmentation; and peripheral precocious puberty. Other endocrine 
abnormalities include thyrotoxicosis, which may be associated with 
a multinodular goiter, somatotrope tumors, and Cushing’s syndrome 
(due to adrenal tumors). Investigation and treatment for each endocri­
nopathy are similar to those used in patients without MAS.
Genetics and Screening 
MAS is a disorder of mosaicism that 
results from postzygotic somatic cell mutations of the G protein 
α-stimulating subunit (Gsα), encoded by the GNAS1 gene, located 
on chromosome 20q13.32 (Table 400-2). The Gsα mutations, which 
include Arg201Cys, Arg201His, Glu227Arg, or Glu227His, are activating 
and are found only in cells of the abnormal tissues. Screening for hyper­
function of relevant endocrine glands and development of hypophospha­
temia, which may be associated with elevated serum fibroblast growth 
factor 23 (FGF23) concentrations, is undertaken in MAS patients.
Acknowledgment
The author is grateful to the National Institute of Health Research 
(NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Programme for support and 
to Mrs. Tracey Walker for typing the manuscript.
■
■FURTHER READING
Binderup  MLM et al: von Hippel-Lindau disease: Updated guideline 
for diagnosis and surveillance. Eur J Med Genet 65:104538, 2022.
Bouys  L, Bertherat  J: Management of endocrine disease: Carney 
complex: Clinical and genetic update 20 years after the identification 
of the CNC1 (PRKAR1A) gene. Eur J Endocrinol 184:R99, 2021.
Brandi ML et al: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: Latest insights. 
Endocr Rev 42:133, 2021.
Legius  E et al: Revised diagnostic criteria for neurofibromatosis type 1 
and Legius syndrome: An international consensus recommendation. 
Genet Med 23:1506, 2021.
Hadoux  J  et al: Phase 3 trial of selpercatinib in advanced RET-mutant 
medullary thyroid cancer. N Engl J Med 389:1851, 2023.
Minisola  S et al: Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and genetics of pri­
mary hyperparathyroidism. J Bone Miner Res 37:2315, 2022.
Ruggeri  RM et al: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 4 (MEN4): 
A thorough update on the latest and least known MEN syndrome. 
Endocrine 82:480, 2023.
Seabrook  AJ et al: Multiple endocrine tumors associated with germ­
line MAX mutations: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 5? J Clin 
Endocrinol Metab 106:1163, 2021.
Thakker RV et al: Clinical practice guidelines for multiple endocrine 
neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). J Clin Endocrinol Metab 97:2990, 2012.