Pseudoglucagonoma syndrome: Description of an 'Idiopatic' case

A Comprehensive Review on Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Presentation, Pathophysiology and Management

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a group of heterogeneous tumors with neuroendocrine differentiation that can arise from any organ. They account for 2% of all malignancies in the United States. A significant proportion of NEN patients experience endocrine imbalances consequent to increased amine or peptide hormone secretion, impacting their quality of life and prognosis. Over the last decade, pathologic categorization, diagnostic techniques and therapeutic choices for NENs-both well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs)-have appreciably evolved. Diagnosis of NEN mostly follows a suspicion from clinical features or incidental imaging findings. Hormonal or non-hormonal biomarkers (like serum serotonin, urine 5-HIAA, gastrin and VIP) and histology of a suspected NEN is, therefore, critical for both confirmation of the diagnosis and classification as an NET or NEC. Therapy for NENs has progressed recently based on a better molecular understanding, including the involvement of mTOR, VEGF and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), which add to the growing evidence supporting the possibility of treatment beyond complete resection. As the incidence of NENs is on the rise in the United States and several other countries, physicians are more likely to see these cases, and their better understanding may support earlier diagnosis and tailoring treatment to the patient. We have compiled clinically significant evidence for NENs, including relevant changes to clinical practice that have greatly updated our diagnostic and therapeutic approach for NEN patients.

Trace element zinc and skin disorders

Zinc is a necessary trace element and an important constituent of proteins and other biological molecules. It has many biological functions, including antioxidant, skin and mucous membrane integrity maintenance, and the promotion of various enzymatic and transcriptional responses. The skin contains the third most zinc in the organism. Zinc deficiency can lead to a range of skin diseases. Except for acrodermatitis enteropathic, a rare genetic zinc deficiency, it has also been reported in other diseases. In recent years, zinc supplementation has been widely used for various skin conditions, including infectious diseases (viral warts, genital herpes, cutaneous leishmaniasis, leprosy), inflammatory diseases (hidradenitis suppurativa, acne vulgaris, rosacea, eczematous dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, Behcet's disease, oral lichen planus), pigmentary diseases (vitiligo, melasma), tumor-associated diseases (basal cell carcinoma), endocrine and metabolic diseases (necrolytic migratory erythema, necrolytic acral erythema), hair diseases (alopecia), and so on. We reviewed the literature on zinc application in dermatology to provide references for better use.