Table 2.
Treatment strategy for malignant and benign neoplasms in patients with MEN1 recommended by Japan Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (JNETS) Guidelines [6]
Pancreas |
Multiple nonfunctioning micro- or macro-NETs exist diffusely throughout the whole pancreas. The malignant potential of these NETs increases with their size |
Indications for resection of these NETs are a size of 2 cm or more in diameter and rapid growth. The JNETS guidelines recommend avoiding total pancreatectomy when possible, to preserve the pancreatic endocrine function |
Thymus |
NETs and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NECs) of the thymus are highly malignant |
Curative resection with dissection of the regional lymph nodes of any size is recommended |
Parathyroid |
Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) caused by hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands occurs in more than 90% of MEN1 patients and results in hypercalcemia |
Total parathyroidectomy with transplantation or subtotal parathyroidectomy is recommended. For patients with ZES, surgery for HPT is usually performed prior to surgery for gastrinomas |
Pituitary |
Most tumors are benign and slow growing |
Observation or medical treatment is usually recommended, with resection generally only recommended for occasional symptomatic tumors |