Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A/localized cutaneous lichen amyloidosis associated with malignant pheochromocytoma and ganglioneuroma

Abstract

We hereby present a rare variant of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) associated with a rare skin disease primary cutaneous lichen amyloidosis and discrete malignant pheochromocytoma in both adrenal glands and pancreatic tail, and interestingly accompanied ganglioneuroma located in retroperitoneum in a 34-yr-old female. The presence of composite tumor of pheochromocytoma and ganglioneuroma arising in the adrenal glands has been described previously in MEN2A and in sporadic cases. The patient displayed classical signs and symptoms of catecholamine excess. Biochemical screening proved pheochromocytoma. Computed tomography revealed multiple mass lesions in both adrenal glands. It also showed a large heterogeneous mass that clearly discriminated from right adrenal gland in retroperitoneal location. After surgical exploration, both adrenal glands and the suspicious mass in pancreatic tail were removed successfully together with subtotal resection of the retroperitoneal tumor. Histopathologic examinations confirmed the presence of pheochromocytoma in both adrenal glands as well as pancreatic lesion. A retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma was also present. Symptomatic and biochemical evidence of pheochromocytoma subsided after the operation. Further evaluation for medullary thyroid carcinoma and primary hyperparathy-roidism confirmed MEN2A. Mutation analysis of the ret proto-oncogene revealed a missense point mutation at position 634 in exon 11, which gives rise to the substitution of a cysteine codon with a tyrosine residue.