Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) II
Alternate Names : Sipple's Syndrome
Definition
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia II (MEN II) is a hereditary disorder in which patients develop a type of thyroid cancer accompanied by recurring cancer of the adrenal glands.
One type of this disease (MEN IIa) is also associated with overgrowth (hyperplasia) of the parathyroid gland.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The cause of MEN II is genetic -- a mutation in a gene called RET. Multiple tumors may appear in the same person, but not necessarily at the same time. The adrenal tumor is a pheochromocytoma and the thyroid tumor is a medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.
The disorder may occur at any age, and affects men and women equally. The main risk factor is a family history of MEN II.
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