Long-term follow-up of an 8-year-old boy with insulinoma as the first manifestation of a familial form of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol. 2010 Nov;54(8):754-60. doi: 10.1590/s0004-27302010000800016.

Abstract

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant hereditary cancer syndrome characterized mostly by parathyroid, enteropancreatic, and anterior pituitary tumors. We present a case of an 8-year-old boy referred because of hypoglycemic attacks. His diagnosis was pancreatic insulinoma. Paternal grandmother died due to repeated gastroduodenal ulcerations and a paternal aunt presented similar manifestations. At a first evaluation, the father presented only gastric ulceration but subsequently developed hyperparathyroidism and lung carcinoid tumor. During almost 15 years of follow-up, three brothers and the index case presented hyperparathyroidism and hyperprolactinemia. Molecular study showed a G to A substitution in intron 4, at nine nucleotides upstream of the splicing acceptor site, causing a splicing mutation. All affected members of the family have the same mutation. Paternal grandmother and aunt were not studied and the mother does not carry any mutation. MEN1 is a rare condition that requires permanent medical assistance. Early clinical and genetic identification of affected individuals is essential for their own surveillance and also for genetic counseling.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Humans
  • Insulinoma / genetics*
  • Introns / genetics
  • Male
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 / genetics*
  • Mutation
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Pedigree
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • MEN1 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins