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Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) I - Overview

Alternative Names

Wermer syndrome; MEN I

Definition of Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) I:

Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) I is an inherited disorder in which one or more of the endocrine glands are overactive or form a tumor. Endocrine glands most commonly involved include:

Adrenals
Pancreas
Parathyroid
Pituitary
Thyroid

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

MEN I is caused by a defect in a gene called RET. The condition causes tumors of various glands to appear in the same person, but not necessarily at the same time. The disorder may occur at any age, and it affects men and women equally.

Risk factors for MEN I include:

Family history of this disorder
Pituitary tumor
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Endocrine glands

Reviewed last on: 9/4/2008
Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, Washington; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Kronenberg HM. Polyglandular disorders. in: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 250.

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