Frequency of various types of neoplasia in a group of acromegalic patients

Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol. 2013 Nov;57(8):612-6. doi: 10.1590/s0004-27302013000800005.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of colon cancer, primary hyperparathyroidism, thyroid tumor, and skin cancer in all acromegalic patients in follow-up at the Clinics Hospital - Botucatu Medical School, from 2005 to 2011.

Subjects and methods: These patients were evaluated retrospectively for colon cancer, primary hyperparathyroidism, dermatological, and thyroid tumors.

Results: Of 29 patients included at the beginning of the study, two were excluded. Among 19 patients submitted to colonoscopy, one presented colon adenocarcinoma (5%). Thyroid nodules were present in 63% of patients, and papilliferous carcinoma was confirmed in two patients (7,7%). Four patients were confirmed as having primary hyperparathyroidism (15%). The most common dermatologic lesions were thickened skin (100%), acrochordons (64%), epidermal cysts (50%), and pseudo-acanthosis nigricans (50%). Only one patient presented basal cell carcinoma.

Conclusion: Although a small number of acromegalic patients was studied, our findings confirm the high frequency of thyroid neoplasias and primary hyperparathyroidism in this group of patients.

MeSH terms

  • Acanthosis Nigricans / diagnosis
  • Acromegaly / blood
  • Acromegaly / complications*
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma / epidemiology*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Colonic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Colonic Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Primary / diagnosis
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Primary / epidemiology*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / analysis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Thyroid Nodule / diagnosis
  • Thyroid Nodule / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I