Hypercalcemia in Pheochromocytoma: From MEN to VHL

Background: Co-occurrence of phaeochromocytoma and primary hyperparathyroidism is usually seen in patients of Multiple Endocrine neoplasia 2A(MEN2A) and is rare in Von Hippel Lindau disease (VHL). Parathyroid adenoma with pheochromocytoma in a genetically confirmed VHL has been reported only once till date (1). Clinical Case: A 30-year male was admitted for evaluation of hypertension and incidentally diagnosed adrenal mass on ultrasound. 9-years back, he was diagnosed as a case of VHL (right renal clear cell carcinoma, pancreatic cystadenoma, spinal hemangioblastoma and epididymal cysts). Right nephrectomy and pancreatic cyst excision had been done and past work-up for pheochromocytoma was normal. He also had been operated twice for recurrent renal calculi. Family history revealed surgery in mother for pancreatic mass. Current imaging revealed right adrenal mass (4.7*4.6 cm) with left renal cysts and calculi, pancreatic cysts and spinal- medullary hemangioblastoma and epididymal cysts. Fundus examination was normal. 24-hours urinary fractionated normetanephrines were elevated (2062 mcg/24 hours) and I131MIBG scan showed 4.7*4.6cm concentrating lesion in right renal fossa suggestive of right adrenal pheochromocytoma. However his biochemical evaluation revealed hypercalcemia (12.1 mg/dl), low phosphorus (3.2 mg/dl), low 25(OH) D (24.84 nmol/l), and raised PTH (121pg/ml). Ultrasound neck and Tc99m-Sestamibi localized left inferior parathyroid adenoma. DEXA scan showed severe osteoporosis. Genetic analysis confirmed VHL mutation in exon-1. Calcitonin and RET mutation were normal (ruled out MEN2A). Therapeutic approach was surgical excision of adrenal pheochromocytoma followed by parathyroidectomy. We report a case of pheochromocytoma with primary hyperparathyroidism (cause: left inferior parathyroid adenoma) in a patient of VHL (Renal clear cell carcinoma, pancreatic cystadenoma, epidydymal cysts and medullary and spinal hemangioblastoma). Hypercalcemia seen in patients of VHL is either due to bone metastasis/PTHrP/IL-6 secretion from RCC or due to PTHrP/PTH/calcitonin secretion from pheochromocytoma and rarely due to associated parathyroid adenoma. Literature search revealed four case reports of parathyroid adenoma with VHL. In only one of these, VHL had pheochromocytoma associated with parathyroid adenoma (1). Conclusion: Ours is the 2nd such case reported in literature of primary hyperparathyroidism in a genetically confirmed case of VHL with pheochromocytoma. This case highlights the overlap of tumorigenesis in two rare genetically divergent syndromes and importance of long-term follow-up for sequential development of new tumors. Reference: Arao T, Okada Yet al. A case of VHL disease with bilateral pheochromocytoma, renal cell carcinoma, pelvic tumor, spinal hemangioblastoma and primary hyperparathyroidism. Endocr J. 2002 Apr;49(2):181–8.

Inhibition of β-Catenin Activity Abolishes LKB1 Loss-Driven Pancreatic Cystadenoma in Mice

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the seventh leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and remains one of our most recalcitrant and dismal diseases. In contrast to many other malignancies, there has not been a significant improvement in patient survival over the past decade. Despite advances in our understanding of the genetic alterations associated with this disease, an incomplete understanding of the underlying biology and lack of suitable animal models have hampered efforts to develop more effective therapies. LKB1 is a tumor suppressor that functions as a primary upstream kinase of adenine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is an important mediator in the regulation of cell growth and epithelial polarity pathways. LKB1 is mutated in a significant number of Peutz–Jeghers syndrome (PJS) patients and in a small proportion of sporadic cancers, including PC; however, little is known about how LKB1 loss contributes to PC development. Here, we report that a reduction in Wnt/β-catenin activity is associated with LKB1 tumor-suppressive properties in PC. Remarkably, in vivo functional analyses of β-catenin in the Pdx-1-Cre LKB1L/L β-cateninL/L mouse model compared to LKB1 loss-driven cystadenoma demonstrate that the loss of β-catenin impairs cystadenoma development in the pancreas of Pdx-1Cre LKB1L/L mice and dramatically restores the normal development and functions of the pancreas. This study further determined the in vivo and in vitro therapeutic efficacy of the β-catenin inhibitor FH535 in suppressing LKB1 loss-driven cystadenoma and reducing PC progression that delineates the potential roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in PC harboring LKB1 deficiency.

Pancreatic cystadenoma coexistent with incidental neuroendocrine tumor: a case report and literature review

Background Pancreatic cystadenoma coexistent with neuroendocrine tumor is a rare disease which is reported sporadically. Case Presentation We herein present one such interesting case in a 67-year old man. There was only one mass detected preoperatively by different examinations. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy indicated a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Therefore, a distal pancreatectomy was performed and the final histopathology revealed two separate masses in the pancreas, one was serious cystadenoma and the other neuroendocrine tumor. Conclusions SCA coexistent with PNET is rarely found during clinical practice. The component of PNET may not be confirmed until the operation. Based on the recorded cases, the malignant potential, clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis are remaining further researches.

A Rare Case of Cystic Schwannoma of the Portal Triad

Schwannomas can occur anywhere throughout the body andhave often been mistaken for more-sinister lesions, especiallywhen found in relation to the pancreas. Clinical symptomsrange from none to vague abdominal pain, back pain,anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, jaundice, and episodes ofcholangitis and gastrointestinal bleeding. Preoperative diagnosisis difficult, and endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needleaspiration is often limited in specificity. Given the low statisticallikelihood of schwannomas, therapy is usually targeted at thepossibility of pancreatic cystadenoma/cystadenocarcinoma.Simple enucleation is usually the preferred treatment, anddiagnosis can be established at the time of operation by frozensection. Schwannomas can be malignant, but preoperativeimaging and pathology can help establish the benign natureof most specimens. Patients typically do well with resolution ofsymptoms. Here we present the case of a patient with abdominalpain and a peripancreatic mass observed with computedtomography, who was found to have a cystic schwannomaextending from the portal triad. The mass was removed andthe patient was discharged without complications.