Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B: Frequency of physical stigmata-Results of the GPOH-MET registry

Cancer predisposing syndromes in childhood and adolescence pose several challenges necessitating interdisciplinary care in dedicated programs

Introduction

Genetic disposition is a major etiologic factor in childhood cancer. More than 100 cancer predisposing syndromes (CPS) are known. Surveillance protocols seek to mitigate morbidity and mortality. To implement recommendations in patient care and to ascertain that the constant gain of knowledge forces its way into practice specific pediatric CPS programs were established.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively analyzed data on children, adolescents, and young adults referred to our pediatric CPS program between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023. Follow-up ended on December 31, 2023.

Results

We identified 67 patients (30 male, 36 female, 1 non-binary, median age 9.5 years). Thirty-five patients were referred for CPS surveillance, 32 for features suspicious of a CPS including café-au-lait macules (n = 10), overgrowth (n = 9), other specific symptoms (n = 4), cancer suspicious of a CPS (n = 6), and rare neoplasms (n = 3). CPS was confirmed by clinical criteria in 6 patients and genetic testing in 7 (of 13). In addition, 6 clinically unaffected at-risk relatives were identified carrying a cancer predisposing pathogenic variant. A total of 48 patients were eventually diagnosed with CPS, surveillance recommendations were on record for 45. Of those, 8 patients did not keep their appointments for various reasons. Surveillance revealed neoplasms (n = 2) and metachronous tumors (n = 4) by clinical (n = 2), radiological examination (n = 2), and endoscopy (n = 2). Psychosocial counselling was utilized by 16 (of 45; 35.6%) families.

Conclusions

The diverse pediatric CPSs pose several challenges necessitating interdisciplinary care in specified CPS programs. To ultimately improve outcome including psychosocial well-being joint clinical and research efforts are necessary.

A 4-Year-Old Boy with an Accidentally Detected Mutation in the RET Proto-Oncogene and Mutation in the Gene Encoding the Ryanodine Receptor1 (RyR1)-Case Report

Multiple endocrine neoplasia 2B (MEN2B) is a rare syndrome with prevalence estimated at approximately 0.2 per 100,000; it is caused by mutation of the RET proto-oncogene. MEN2B is characterized by early-onset medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), ganglioneuromatosis of the aerodigestive tract, marfanoid habitus, ophthalmologic abnormalities, and pheochromocytoma in adulthood. Mutations in the RyR1 gene manifest clinically in congenital myopathies and/or malignant hyperthermia susceptibility. We present a case of a 4-year-old boy with an accidentally detected RET and RyR1 mutations in the course of diagnostic approach of short stature and delayed motor development. Due to a poor and blurred clinical picture of MEN2B syndrome, accompanied by RyR1 mutation symptoms, the diagnostic path was extended. Our patient had no family history of MTC. In the imaging studies of the thyroid gland, no abnormalities were found, whereas the serum level of calcitonin was elevated to 34 pg/mL (N < 5.0). The patient qualified for total thyroidectomy, and the histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of MTC. The postoperative serum calcitonin level dropped to normal ranges. This case shows how new genetic diagnostic procedures could be crucial in accidentally diagnosing rare endocrine disease with atypical symptoms, giving an opportunity for relatively early intervention.

Frequency and impact of musculoskeletal symptoms on quality of life in MEN2B

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of musculoskeletal (MSK)-related symptoms on the quality of life of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 2b (MEN2B).

DESIGN

An online survey was distributed by the Association for Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Disorders (AMEND) to their members and worldwide via a social media group for MEN2B patients.

METHODS

The survey consisted of a detailed questionnaire analysing the MSK-related symptoms and structural deformities of MEN2B patients and their impact on patient's lives.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-eight participants completed the survey.

RESULTS

Participants reported several musculoskeletal complaints; the most prevalent being musculoskeletal weakness at 73% (n = 35) and pain 58% (n = 28). The median pain score was 7 (interquartile range [IQR]: 5-8) and the frequency of pain was daily in 44% (n = 15) and constant in 21% (n = 7). Structural complaints were common with 63% (n = 30) stating their physique was 'different' and 40% (n = 19) describing marfanoid body features. Spinal curvature and foot deformities were the commonest structural abnormalities with scoliosis 70% (n = 16) and pes cavus 63% (n = 22) prevailing. Dental problems were mentioned by 69% (n = 33) with interdental spacing being the most common complaint at 61% (n = 20). The musculoskeletal symptoms of MEN2B had a median impact of 6 (IQR: 3-9) on quality of life (QOL) with structural deformities 53% (n = 18) and pain 26% (n = 9) listed as having the highest impact. Poor MSK health affected exercise, work and mobility.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a high prevalence of musculoskeletal-related complaints in MEN2B which significantly affects QOL. This suggests a need to provide better holistic care including a multidisciplinary team with physiotherapist, orthopaedic and dental specialist input.

Hereditary Endocrine Tumor Registries

Context

Endocrine neoplasia syndromes are phenotypically complex, and there is a misconception that they are universally rare. Genetic alterations are increasingly recognized; however, true prevalence is unknown. The purpose of a clinical registry is to monitor the quality of health care delivered to a specified group of patients through the collection, analysis, and reporting of relevant health-related information. This leads to improved clinical practice, decision-making, patient satisfaction, and outcome.

Objective

This review aims to identify, compare, and contrast active registries worldwide that capture data relevant to hereditary endocrine tumors (HETs).

Methods

Clinical registries were identified using a systematic approach from publications (Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE) peer consultation, clinical trials, and web searches. Inclusion criteria were hereditary endocrine tumors, clinical registries, and English language. Exclusion criteria were institutional audits, absence of clinical data, or inactivity. Details surrounding general characteristics, funding, data fields, collection periods, and entry methods were collated.

Results

Fifteen registries specific for HET were shortlisted with 136 affiliated peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Conclusion

There are few clinical registries specific to HET. Most of these are European, and the data collected are highly variable. Further research into their effectiveness is warranted. We note the absence of an Australian registry for all HET, which would provide potential health and economic gains. This review presents a unique opportunity to harmonize registry data for HET locally and further afield.

Fracture Risk in Pediatric Patients With MEN2B

CONTEXT

The skeletal phenotype of patients with MEN2B has been described but fracture risk in these patients has not yet been evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

This work aims to better delineate fracture risk in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B).

METHODS

This case series with chart review was conducted at the National Institutes of Health, Pediatric Oncology Branch. A total of 48 patients with MEN2B were identified, with an age range of 5 to 36 years, median of 19; 24 of 48 (50%) patients were female. Medical records, demographic information, available imaging, and laboratory results were reviewed. History up to age 19 was included in the statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 48 patients with MEN2B, 20 patients experienced at least one fracture. The majority (n = 18) experienced their first fracture at or before age 19. The observed frequency of fracture occurrence throughout childhood (0-19 years) was 38%, with very little difference between males and females. This frequency is higher than the 9.47 to 36.1 fractures per 1000 persons per year that has been reported in healthy pediatric cohorts in the United States. Less common sites of fracture including vertebral compression fracture and pelvic fractures were observed in patients with MEN2B.

CONCLUSION

In this group of patients with MEN2B, there was an increased overall risk of fracture compared to general pediatric cohorts in the United States. Less common sites of fracture were also observed. This suggests a possible effect of an activating RET mutation on bone physiology and warrants further investigation.

Overview of the 2022 WHO Classification of Familial Endocrine Tumor Syndromes

This review of the familial tumor syndromes involving the endocrine organs is focused on discussing the main updates on the upcoming fifth edition of the WHO Classification of Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumors. This review emphasizes updates on histopathological and molecular genetics aspects of the most important syndromes involving the endocrine organs. We describe the newly defined Familial Cancer Syndromes as MAFA-related, MEN4, and MEN5 as well as the newly reported pathological findings in DICER1 syndrome. We also describe the updates done at the new WHO on the syndromic and non-syndromic familial thyroid diseases. We emphasize the problem of diagnostic criteria, mention the new genes that are possibly involved in this group, and at the same time, touching upon the role of some immunohistochemical studies that could support the diagnosis of some of these conditions. As pathologists play an important role in identifying tumors within a familial cancer syndrome, we highlight the most important clues for raising the suspicious of a syndrome. Finally, we highlight the challenges in defining these entities as well as determining their clinical outcome in comparison with sporadic tumors. Instead of the usual subject review, we present the highlights of the updates on familial cancer syndromes by answering select questions relevant to practicing pathologists.

Extra-endocrine phenotypes at infancy in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B: A case series of six Japanese patients

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B) is an extremely rare disease, most often caused by a de novo p.Met918Thr RET mutation. Medullary thyroid carcinoma of MEN2B has a good prognosis if diagnosed by one year of age. However, diagnosis of MEN2B within the first year of life is markedly challenging owing to its high de novo occurrence and lack of clarity in terms of extra-endocrine symptoms that could aid early diagnosis. Herein, we present six cases of Japanese children with MEN2B harboring the p.Met918Thr RET variant. Exploratory data extraction was conducted using a questionnaire. The patients underwent thyroidectomy at a median age of 11 yr (range, 6–19 yr). Four of the six patients underwent neonatal hospitalization at birth without complications, and three tested positive for neuroblastoma screening at infancy. The patients presented at least one MEN2B-associated symptom before one year of age, including ganglioneuromas, pseudo-Hirschsprung disease, alacrima, bumpy lips, sucking disability, or decreased muscle tone, along with other suspected comorbidities, such as Williams or Prader–Willi syndrome. This case series demonstrates that MEN2B manifests through several extra-endocrine symptoms by the age of one year.

Children with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B: Not tall and marfanoid, but short with normal body proportions

OBJECTIVE

Multiple endocrine neoplasia 2B (MEN2B) is characterised by early-onset medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytoma and several nonendocrine manifestations. Unfortunately, MEN2B is often diagnosed late, after the development of clinically significant MTC. Marfanoid habitus is considered an important related feature, which may lead to the assumption that patients with MEN2B have tall stature. Here, we describe the longitudinal growth and body proportions of eight MEN2B patients during childhood.

DESIGN

It is a retrospective case series.

METHODS

Patients were under the care of a Dutch MEN expertise centre. Growth patterns were assessed and interpreted in relation to body mass index (BMI), age at diagnosis and at thyroidectomy, extensiveness of disease manifestations and parental height.

RESULTS

Seven patients were short during childhood, of whom four showed growth below target height range (THR) and three at the lowest margin of THR. Only one patient grew well within THR. All patients who attained final height (n = 4) ended within THR, despite short stature during childhood. Arm span/height ratio was not increased and upper segment/lower segment ratio was not reduced in any patient. Short stature in childhood in this study did not seem to be associated with age at diagnosis, age at thyroidectomy, extensiveness of MTC, endocrine deficiencies or BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that children with MEN2B may well present with short rather than tall stature. Thereafter, final height within THR was attained in those who already reached adulthood, but none had tall stature. Finally, body proportions were normal in all children and adults in this case series, not underlining a 'marfanoid' body habitus.

Cystic ovarian teratoma as a novel tumor and growth hormone deficiency as new conditions presenting in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2B: Case reports and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

We describe early and typical nonendocrine symptoms of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B) presented in our patients with de novo M918T mutation in the RET proto-oncogene in early childhood, however, the diagnosis of MEN2B and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) was confirmed late, in the second decade of life. In this paper, we emphasize the possibility of growth retardation, growth hormone (GH) deficiency and ovarian teratoma as a new symptom of MEN2B.

CASE REPORTS

Advanced MTC with palpable mass on the neck and nonendocrine symptoms such as marfanoid habitus, thickened lips, mucosal neuromas led to the diagnosis in case 1 at the age of 13 years and GH deficiency and nonendocrine symptoms in case 2 at the age of 11 years. The earliest feature of MEN2B was alacrima and constipation. Patient 1 was operated on for a slipped femoral capital epiphysis and for a cystic ovarian teratoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Improved awareness of nonendocrine signs of MEN2B could lead to earlier diagnosis, when surgical cure of MTC is possible. Alacrima is the first sign of MEN2B. We confirmed the possibility of growth retardation and GH deficiency in MEN2B, which had been previously rarely described. We suggest that patients with MEN2B may develop cystic ovarian teratoma, to the best of our knowledge, which has never been described so far in the literature. The results of this study could be used to guide further diagnosing of MENB2 at the early stage for better clinical outcome. We emphasize that MEN2B carries a risk for development of cystic ovarian teratoma as a novel tumor in this disease.

Timely diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia 2B by identification of intestinal ganglioneuromatosis: a case series

BACKGROUND

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in childhood is rare and has an unfavorable prognosis. To improve outcome, early diagnosis is essential. In patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B), MTC can occur already before the age of 1 year. Recognition of non-endocrine features of MEN2B may lead to timely diagnosis.

PURPOSE

To describe how early recognition of non-endocrine features can lead to a timely diagnosis of MEN2B as well as the effect of recognition of premonitory symptoms on prognosis.

METHODS

A retrospective case series from the University Medical Center Utrecht/Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, a Dutch national expertise center for MEN patients. All eight MEN2B patients in follow-up between 1976 and 2020 were included and medical records reviewed.

RESULTS

Intestinal ganglioneuromatosis (IGN) as the cause of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms was detected in seven patients. In three of them within months after birth. This led to early diagnosis of MEN2B, which allowed subsequent curative thyroid surgery. On the contrary, a MEN2B diagnosis later in childhood-in three patients (also) triggered by oral neuromas/neurofibromas-led to recurrent, persistent, and/or progressive MTC in five patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Neonatal GI manifestations offer the most important window of opportunity for early detection of MEN2B. By accurate evaluation of rectal biopsies in patients with early onset severe constipation, IGN can be timely detected, while ruling out Hirschsprung's disease. MEN2B gene analysis should follow detection of IGN and-when confirmed-should prompt possibly still curative thyroid surgery.

A narrative review of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes: genetics, clinical features, imaging findings, and diagnosis

Objective

We aimed to provide ideas for clinicians, especially radiologists, for the diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes.

Background

MEN syndromes include MEN1, MEN2, and MEN4 and usually involve 2 or more endocrine tumors. The MEN syndromes are a group of euchromatic dominant genetic diseases, and the main genes involved include MEN1 (MEN1), RET (MEN2), and CDKN1B (MEN4).

Methods

In this article, involving 8 cases (4 cases of MEN1, 2 cases of MEN2A, 1 case of MEN2B, 1 case of MEN4) from our center, we introduced the disease spectrum, clinical manifestations (especially imaging findings), and related genes involved in each type of MEN syndromes. We also discussed the differential diagnosis between MEN and sporadic tumors and emphasized that MEN should be screened and the relevant required examinations.

Conclusions

Considering that MEN syndromes involve multiple endocrine gland tumors and nonendocrine organ diseases, it is very important to identify potential patients early and perform multiple examinations on them, including biochemical and multitype, and multisite imaging examinations according to the disease spectrum of each type. Considering that this is a group of genetic diseases, both interviewing patients about their family history and genetic testing are also very important. Only in this way can a comprehensive and accurate diagnosis be made, enabling patients to receive appropriate treatment and improve their prognosis.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2: A reveiw

Multiple endocrine neoplasias are rare hereditary syndromes some of them with malignant potential. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) is an autosomal dominant hereditary cancer syndrome due to germline variants in the REarranged during Transfection (RET) proto-oncogene. There are two distinct clinical entities: MEN 2A and MEN 2B. MEN 2A is associated with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), phaeochromocytoma, primary hyperparathyroidism, cutaneous lichen amyloidosis and Hirschprung's disease and MEN 2B with MTC, phaeochromocytoma, ganglioneuromatosis of the aerodigestive tract, musculoskeletal and ophthalmologic abnormalities. Germline RET variants causing MEN 2 result in gain-of-function; since the discovery of the genetic variants a thorough search for genotype-phenotype associations began in order to understand the high variability both between families and within family members. These studies have successfully led to improved risk classification of prognosis in relation to the genotype, thus improving the management of the patients by thorough genetic counseling. The present review summarizes the recent developments in the knowledge of these hereditary syndromes as well as the impact on clinical management, including genetic counseling, of both individual patients and families. It furthermore points to future directions of research for better clarification of timing of treatments of the various manifestations of the syndromes in order to improve survival and morbidity in these patients.