Pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with type 1 Neurofibromatosis: Report of two cases and literature review. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2016;27:36-40. [PMID: 27529834 PMCID: PMC4987505 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2016.08.008]

Synchronous Upper Intestinal Neurofibromas and Duodenal Periampullary Well-Differentiated Neuroendocrine Tumor Associated With Neurofibromatosis 1

Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder associated with characteristic skin findings, as well as a fourfold increase in risk of malignancy. NF1 patient malignancies commonly include the central and peripheral nervous system, but these patients are also at high risk of developing gastrointestinal (GI) tumors. While most often these GI tumors are benign upper GI neurofibromas; clinicians should have a high suspicion for malignant tumors, degeneration into a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor or less common associated malignancies such as well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (formerly carcinoid tumor), when patients present with multiple GI tumors. Our patient underwent a Whipple for symptomatic neurofibromas associated with NF1 and was unexpectedly discovered to have a metastatic duodenal well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. The patient is a 66-year-old man with NF1 who presented with hematemesis and was found to have large gastric neurofibromas and an ampullary neurofibroma based on endoscopy and radiological imaging. Another ostensive neurofibroma was noted distally. A pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Pathological examination identified the neurofibromas but the tumor measuring 1.4cm and arising from the minor duodenal papilla was, in fact, a synchronous well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor metastatic to regional lymph nodes, consistent with pT2 pN1, Stage IIIB cancer. NF1 patients with multiple GI tumors are at an increased risk for malignancy. Therefore, a high index of suspicion for malignancy in any patient with NF1 presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms has implications for a surgeon, warranting not only a further diagnostic investigation, but also an appropriate surgical intervention and sampling for nodal spread. Because of the possibility of a simultaneous cancer, it is crucial to assess all suspicious tumors even if the masses appear endoscopically benign.

KIT and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α wild-type gastrointestinal stromal tumor associated with neurofibromatosis type 1: Two case reports

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) associated with neurofibromatosis are uncommon compared to their gastrointestinal counterparts. Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal tumors, including rare types such as GIST.

CASE SUMMARY

A 60-year-old male Chinese patient was diagnosed with NF-1 10 years ago and presented with upper abdominal discomfort and black stools. Endoscopic ultrasonography and an enhanced abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a mass located 4 cm from the muscular layer of the descending duodenum. A 59-year-old Chinese woman who was diagnosed with NF-1 25 years ago presented with sudden unconsciousness and black stools. Multiple masses in the duodenum were noted by echogastroscopy and an enhanced abdominal computed tomography scan. Both patients presented with cutaneous neurofibromas. The histologic examination of tumors from both patients revealed spindle cells and low mitotic activity. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed strong positivity for KIT (CD117), DOG-1, CD34, and Dehydrogenase Complex Subunit B, and negativity for SMA, desmin, S-100, and β-catenin. None of the six tumors from two patients had KIT exon 9, 11, 13, or 17 or platelet-derived growth factor receptor α exon 12 or 18 mutation, which is a typical finding for sporadic GISTs. None of the six tumors from the two patients had a BRAFV600E mutation. The patients were alive and well during the follow-up period (range: 0.6-5 yr).

CONCLUSION

There have been only a few previous reports of GISTs associated with NF-1. Although GISTs associated with NF-1 have morphologic and immunohistochemical similarities with GISTs, the pathogenesis, incidence, genetic background, and prognosis are not completely known. A medical history of NF-1 in a patient who has gastrointestinal bleeding or anemia and an intra-abdominal mass with nonspecific computed tomography features may help in diagnosing GIST by virtue of the well-known association of these two entities. Molecular genetic studies of cases indicated that GISTs in NF-1 patients have a different pathogenesis than sporadic GISTs.

Spectrum of gastrointestinal lesions of neurofibromatosis type 1: a pictorial review

Abstract

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common genetic disorders. Gastrointestinal manifestations of NF-1 are seldom thought of in routine clinical practice and might thus be significantly under-recognised. Their heterogeneous spectrum ranges from localised microscopic proliferative lesions to grossly recognizable mass-forming neurofibromas, neuroendocrine and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST). The aim of this study is discussing the imaging evaluation and characterisation of the abdomen lesions in patients with NF1.

Teaching Points

• Neurofibromatosis type (NF-1) is one of the most common single gene disorders.

• Every organ system can be involved and intra-abdominal manifestations are underestimated.

• The NF1 abdominal manifestations comprehend five categories of tumours.

• Neurogenic tumours including with neurofibromas are the most common type.

• Early diagnosis of abdominal manifestations of NF-1 based on imaging patterns is necessary for appropriate treatment to avoid serious organic complications related to tumour mass.

Rare triad of periampullary carcinoid, duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor and plexiform neurofibroma at hepatic hilum in neurofibromatosis type 1: a case report

Background

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a relatively common inherited disorder. Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 are at high risk of developing neurogenic, neuroendocrine and mesenchymal intra-abdominal tumors. Although coexistence of multiple tumors of different types is frequent in neurofibromatosis type 1, simultaneous occurrence of abdominal tumors of three types in very rare.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old lady with neurofibromatosis type 1 presented with painless progressive jaundice for six months. Laboratory investigations revealed iron deficiency anemia and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Tumor markers were normal. Abdominal computed tomography showed a 3 × 2 cm heterogenous mass in the periampullary region with mild dilation of the common bile duct and another 2 × 1.7 cm mass in the fourth portion of the duodenum. Endoscopic biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of periampullary carcinoid. At surgery, multiple small nodules were detected at the hepatic hilum. Frozen section suggested them to be neurofibromas. Patient underwent pancreatoduodenectomy and had uneventful recovery with no recurrence at two months. Microscopic examination of the resected specimen confirmed presence of three tumors: periampullary well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor, gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the fourth part of duodenum and plexiform neurofibroma at the hepatic hilum.

Conclusion

Patients of neurofibromatosis type 1 with abdominal symptoms should be treated with high index of clinical suspicion and thoroughly evaluated to rule out multiple tumors.