Endocrine Abstracts

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) accounts for 1%–2% of thyroid cancers and has a variable clinical course. MTCs present with locoregional metastasis in 50% of patients and distant metastasis in 10% to 15% at the time of initial diagnosis. The lungs, liver, and bone are common metastatic sites, and distant metastasis is known to be a poor prognostic factor for long-term oncologic outcomes. We present the long course case, under somatostatin analogues (SSA) therapy, of a 7...

Introduction: Non-functioning (NF), sporadic and MEN1 associated, G1-G2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) usually display an indolent course. Surgery is the first-choice treatment for localized tumors >2 cm. Unresectable or metastatic PanNETs expressing somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) are treated with somatostatin analogs (SSAs). The standard treatment for patients with PanNETs ≤ 2 cm is active surveillance (AS). Yet no evidence of the value of SSA treatment ...

Background: Hypovitaminosis D represents at present a worldwide public health problem. Recent studies have demonstrated the pleiotropic effects of vitamin D, in addition to its known actions on calcium-phosphorus metabolism. Among the several non-skeletal effects, a potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory action has been suggested. Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in several chronic conditions associated with increased inflammation and deregulation of the immune...

The von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is an inherited multi-tumor disorder characterized by clinical heterogeneity and high penetrance. Pheochromocytoma (Pheo) is present in 10-15% of cases. It can be isolated or associated with other lesions such as hemangioblastomas, kidney cysts or cancer, and pancreatic lesions. Pheos secrete norepinephrine and are generally located in the adrenals. While performing genetic testing in patients affected by apparently sporadic pheos or PGLs, ...

Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is an extremely rare endocrine malignancy of the parathyroid glands, representing less than 1% of all parathyroid neoplasms. PC is characterized by an excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and severe hypercalcemia. In contrast to parathyroid adenoma, the prognosis for patients with PC is poor, with an overall survival rate of 78-85% and 49-70% respectively at 5 and 10 years after diagnosis, due to the commonly unmanageable hypercalcaemia, ...

The exposure of cells to high glucose concentrations is considered a determinant of diabetic neuropathy. Conversely, members of the Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) system are well known neurotrophic factors. Here, we investigated the effects of constant and intermittent high glucose concentrations on IGF-I and IGF Binding Proteins (IGFBPs) in human neuroblast long-term cell cultures (FNC). We first demonstrated that FNC express the IGF-I receptor, and express and release in t...

Introduction: Patients with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection develop a lipodystrophic syndrome characterised by accumulation of central fat both in visceral and in subcutaneous compartment. In recent studies approximately 20% of male patients with HIV-related lipodystrophy presented an inadequate peak of GH secretion in response to GHRH-arginine testing, which is strongly inversely related to visceral adipose tissue-(VAT).Aim of the study...

Introduction: Giant pituitary adenomas (GPAs) are traditionally defined as the tumors with the greatest diameter at or above 40 mm. However, some clinical series of GPAs include tumors with maximal diameter of 35 to 40 mm, and those tumors can be named ‘nearly giant’ pituitary adenomas (nearly GPAs). The treatment of GPAs is challenging and has a higher risk of complications due to the size and complex anatomical relations. This study was conducted to compare GPAs an...

Thyroid storm (TS) is a rare and life threatening condition that requires a prompt recognition and treatment. The clinical features may overlap with other acute medical conditions. Currently both Akamizu Criteria (JTA) and Burch and Wartofsky Scale (BW) are helpful diagnostics tools.Objective: To evaluate TS patients according to currently available criteria and to identify the clinical features and outcomes.Methods: A single cente...

Thyroid storm (TS) is a rare but life-threatening manifestation of thyrotoxicosis.Objective: To describe the clinical features and outcomes of patients admitted for TS according to Burch-Wartofsky’s score (BW).Methods: A retrospective review of subjects admitted to a single hospital from 2009 through 2015 was conducted.Results: 15 cases were identified. Etiology: autoimmune (n=8), factitious (<e...