Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome: single centre experience from western India

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome (MEN1) is a rare autosomal dominant familial cancer syndrome affecting multiple endocrine glands. Published literature on MEN1 from Indian subcontinent is scarce. We report here a case series of MEN1 patients (n = 18) from 14 unrelated families. Retrospective study describing the clinical profile of MEN1 patients from endocrine unit of a tertiary care hospital from western India. Additionally clinical profile of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in MEN1 patients was compared with that of apparently sporadic PHPT cohort from our centre. Eighteen patients (10 males, 8 females) diagnosed as MEN1 were included. Mean age at diagnosis was 31.5 ± 10.6 years (range 17–54). Incidence of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), pituitary adenoma (PA), and gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEP-NET) was 94.4, 72.2, and 72.2 %, respectively. GEP-NET was the commonest presenting lesion (33.3 %), followed by PA (27.7 %), PHPT (16.6 %), thymic carcinoid (5.5 %), while 16.6 % cases were identified on family screening. PHPT manifestations (clinical and biochemical) in MEN1 were less severe as compared to those of sporadic PHPT. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT were equally sensitive (64.7 vs. 63.5 %) in identifying multiglandular parathyroid disease. Non functioning tumors (NFT) were the most common GEP-NET, followed by insulinoma (5/13, two were metastatic). 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT had higher sensitivity in detecting GEP-NET lesions than CECT (100 vs. 62.5 %). The most common pituitary lesion was prolactinoma, and all were cabergoline responsive. Genetic analysis was available in 13 patients and 11 patients showed mutation in MEN1 gene. The clinical profile of MEN1 in Asian Indian patients is largely comparable to that reported in other cohorts. Peculiar findings of our cohort are predominance of GEP-NET as a presenting manifestation and relatively higher prevalence of insulinoma with higher occurrence of metastatic insulinoma. Clinical and biochemical profile of MEN1 associated PHPT is less severe than that of our sporadic PHPT.