Endocrine Abstracts

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor derived from the thyroid C cells producing calcitonin, ac-counts for 0.6% of all thyroid cancers. It occurs either sporadically or in a hereditary form (RET mutation). MTC can be cured only by complete resection of the thyroid tumor and any loco-regional metastases. Calcitonin (CT) measurement is crucial to the early diagnosis and the follow-up of MTC. If the evaluation of stimulated CT levels is required, a prov...

Abstract: Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine tumour originating in the thyroid parafollicular cells. Calcitonin measurement and RET gene ascertainment have been used as markers for early diagnosis of MTC. Since pentagastrin is not available, calcium stimulation test helps to preclude ‘gray zone’ values of basal calcitonin, diagnose minimal residual disease and help the early diagnosis of C cell hyperplasia.Aim:...

Giant prolactinoma it’s a very rare tumor that due to its massive extension into surrounding structures can present more often with neurological complications such as visual defects, cranial nerve paresis or even hydrocephalus, unlike the classic prolactinoma presentation with amenorrhea, infertility and galactorrhea. On CT/MRI exams it can present as aggressive skull base tumor and its immunohistochemistry (IHC) may have common features with neuroendocrine neoplasms....

Introduction: BRAF V600E mutation is reported to occur in 28–83% of papillary thyroid cancer, being associated with increased tumour aggressiveness.Objective: To determine the prevalence of BRAF V600E mutation in Romanian patients with thyroid nodules referred to surgery in a reference endocrinology centre.Materials and methods: 140 patients were included in the study: 70 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), 42 pat...

MEN2A is an autosomal dominant inherited syndrome, caused by a gain of function germline mutation in the RET proto-oncogene, with multiglandular tumoral development. Although the presence of MTC is very high and 50% of patients present with pheochromocytoma, the penetrance of hyperparathyroidism is estimated to be between 9 and 34%. The clinical presentation of the syndrome varies widely even in members of the same family, because of the difference of gene penetration (1). In ...

Craniopharyngiomas are rare solid or mixed solid-cystic tumours. Although benign histologically, these tumours frequently shorten life and should be considered low-grade malignancies.We present the case of a 12-year-old boy diagnosed in 2008, at age 5, with a suprasellar tumour of 22/21/20 mm with mixed solid and cystic areas. The tumour was operated twice by left transfrontal approach in 2008 and right transfrontal approach in 2009. The pathology exam r...

Background: There are only few reports regarding the role of serum galectin-3 (Gal-3) as an early biochemical marker in thyroid carcinoma.Aim: To evaluate the potential overexpression of Gal-3 in sera from patients with confirmed diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).Patients and methods: We retrospectively investigated serum Gal-3 in 40 patients referred to the surgical department for thyroidectomy. Sera were collected be...

Introduction: Struma ovarii is a rare condition which elicited considerable interest because of its many unique features like its relationship to teratoma and differentiated thyroid cancer. The most common thyroid carcinomas to arise in struma ovarii are papillary and follicular.Objectives: We describe two patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma originating from malignant struma ovarii.Results: Our index patient is a 32-year...

Introduction: Pheochromocytomas are rarely malignant, defined by the presence of cathecholamine – producing metastases. Malignant pheochromocytoma responds poorly to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 131I-MIBG therapy can be used to prolong survival, with minor side effects.Case: A 45-years old woman known with malignant pheochromocytoma, with a long medical history, first came to our clinic in July 2012. Her diagnosis was suspected in 1999 ...

Background: Suitable postoperative radiotherapy (RT) of nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFMAs) is still controversial, subjected to rapid technical and medical progress.Patients and methods.: We studied 87 patients with NFMA to identify factors affecting tumor control such as the time of RT and tumor pathology. Partial pituitary surgery was performed either by transfrontal (30 patients) or transsphenoidal (57 patients) approach. An immunoperoxida...