Abstract |
A unilateral, apparently sporadic pheochromocytoma was removed from the right adrenal of a 73-yr-old Caucasian woman. At the time of surgery, germline DNA from the patient was not available. However, a continuous cell line (KNA) established from the tumor showed a heterozygous sequence variant TGC ( cysteine) to TGG ( tryptophan) in exon 10, codon 611 of the RET proto-oncogene. Subsequent genetic testing of the patient and her offspring revealed the same base-change in herself, one daughter, one son, and the only grandson, confirming hereditary disease classified as MEN2A-2. Clinical follow up of the patient revealed elevated serum calcitonin after 6 yr. Thyroidectomy was performed and revealed a small medullary thyroid carcinoma. The patient's children thus far show no evidence of MEN2, but C-cell hyperplasia has been diagnosed in the grandson. Our serendipitous finding of a MEN2A-2 mutation in a patient with initial diagnosis of late onset, unilateral, "sporadic" pheochromocytoma would argue for routine mutation screening of even elderly patients presenting with a pheochromocytoma.
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Authors | Andreas Weinhäusel, Annemarie Behmel, Bruce A J Ponder, Oskar A Haas, Bruno Niederle, Alois Gessl, Heinrich Vierhapper, Roswitha Pfragner |
Journal | Endocrine pathology
(Endocr Pathol)
Vol. 14
Issue 4
Pg. 375-82
( 2003)
ISSN: 1046-3976 [Print] United States |
PMID | 14739494
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
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Chemical References |
- MAS1 protein, human
- Proto-Oncogene Mas
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins
- Calcitonin
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
- Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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Topics |
- Adrenal Gland Neoplasms
(genetics)
- Aged
- Calcitonin
(blood)
- Carcinoma, Medullary
(genetics, surgery)
- Female
- Heterozygote
- Humans
- Male
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a
(genetics)
- Mutation
- Pheochromocytoma
(genetics)
- Proto-Oncogene Mas
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins
(genetics)
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
- Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
(genetics)
- Thyroid Neoplasms
(genetics, surgery)
- Thyroidectomy
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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