Biomaterial Database

Adrenal medullary disease in multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2: pheochromocytoma and its precursors. 1976

J A Carney, and G W Sizemore, and S G Sheps

Multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2 (MEN-type 2), designates the syndrome of medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and occasional parathyroid hyperplasia. The thyroid carcinoma, which is usually bilateral and multicentric, is preceded by multifocal C-cell hyperplasia. The adrenal gland manifests pheochromocytoma, which is frequently bilateral and multicentric, and may be malignant. To test the hypothesis that diffuse adrenal medullary hyperplasia is a precursor of pheochromocytoma in this syndrome, we studied the adrenal glands of 19 patients who had MEN-type 2. The findings in the adrenal medulla in these 19 patients were: synchronous bilateral pheochromocytoma in 9 (metastatic in 3); asynchronous bilateral pheochromocytoma in 1 (metastatic); unilateral pheochromocytoma with contralateral diffuse and nodular hyperplasia in 2; unilateral pheochromocytoma with contralateral diffuse hyperplasia in 2; unilateral pheochromocytoma in 1; bilateral nodular hyperplasia in 1; bilateral diffuse hyperplasia in 1; and no abnormality in 2. This spectrum of adrenal medullary pathology suggests that diffuse and nodular medullary hyperplasia are precursors of pheochromocytoma in MEN-type 2.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006965	Hyperplasia	An increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ without tumor formation. It differs from HYPERTROPHY, which is an increase in bulk without an increase in the number of cells.	Hyperplasias
D008297	Male		Males
D008938	Mitosis	A type of CELL NUCLEUS division by means of which the two daughter nuclei normally receive identical complements of the number of CHROMOSOMES of the somatic cells of the species.	M Phase, Mitotic,Mitotic M Phase,M Phases, Mitotic,Mitoses,Mitotic M Phases,Phase, Mitotic M,Phases, Mitotic M
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009362	Neoplasm Metastasis	The transfer of a neoplasm from one organ or part of the body to another remote from the primary site.	Metastase,Metastasis,Metastases, Neoplasm,Metastasis, Neoplasm,Neoplasm Metastases,Metastases
D009378	Neoplasms, Multiple Primary	Two or more abnormal growths of tissue occurring simultaneously and presumed to be of separate origin. The neoplasms may be histologically the same or different, and may be found in the same or different sites.	Neoplasms, Synchronous,Neoplasms, Synchronous Multiple Primary,Multiple Primary Neoplasms,Multiple Primary Neoplasms, Synchronous,Synchronous Multiple Primary Neoplasms,Synchronous Neoplasms,Multiple Primary Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Multiple Primary,Neoplasm, Synchronous,Primary Neoplasm, Multiple,Primary Neoplasms, Multiple,Synchronous Neoplasm
D010673	Pheochromocytoma	A usually benign, well-encapsulated, lobular, vascular tumor of chromaffin tissue of the ADRENAL MEDULLA or sympathetic paraganglia. The cardinal symptom, reflecting the increased secretion of EPINEPHRINE and NOREPINEPHRINE, is HYPERTENSION, which may be persistent or intermittent. During severe attacks, there may be HEADACHE; SWEATING, palpitation, apprehension, TREMOR; PALLOR or FLUSHING of the face, NAUSEA and VOMITING, pain in the CHEST and ABDOMEN, and paresthesias of the extremities. The incidence of malignancy is as low as 5% but the pathologic distinction between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas is not clear. (Dorland, 27th ed; DeVita Jr et al., Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology, 3d ed, p1298)	Pheochromocytoma, Extra-Adrenal,Extra-Adrenal Pheochromocytoma,Extra-Adrenal Pheochromocytomas,Pheochromocytoma, Extra Adrenal,Pheochromocytomas,Pheochromocytomas, Extra-Adrenal
D011230	Precancerous Conditions	Pathological conditions that tend eventually to become malignant.	Preneoplastic Conditions,Condition, Preneoplastic,Conditions, Preneoplastic,Preneoplastic Condition,Condition, Precancerous,Conditions, Precancerous,Precancerous Condition
D002467	Cell Nucleus	Within a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-limited body which contains chromosomes and one or more nucleoli (CELL NUCLEOLUS). The nuclear membrane consists of a double unit-type membrane which is perforated by a number of pores; the outermost membrane is continuous with the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. A cell may contain more than one nucleus. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed)	Cell Nuclei,Nuclei, Cell,Nucleus, Cell
D003593	Cytoplasm	The part of a cell that contains the CYTOSOL and small structures excluding the CELL NUCLEUS; MITOCHONDRIA; and large VACUOLES. (Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990)	Protoplasm,Cytoplasms,Protoplasms