Natural history, treatment, and long-term follow up of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B: an international, multicentre, retrospective study

Frederic Castinetti, Steven G. Waguespack, Andreas Machens, Shinya Uchino, Kornelia Hasse-Lazar, Gabriella Sanso, Tobias Else, Sarka Dvorakova, Xiao Ping Qi, Rossella Elisei, Ana Luisa Maia, John Glod, Delmar Muniz Lourenço, Nuria Valdes, Jes Mathiesen, Nelson Wohllk, Tushar R. Bandgar, Delphine Drui, Marta Korbonits, Maralyn R. DruceCaroline Brain, Tom Kurzawinski, Atila Patocs, Maria Joao Bugalho, Andre Lacroix, Philippe Caron, Patricia Fainstein-Day, Francoise Borson Chazot, Marc Klein, Thera P. Links, Claudio Letizia, Laura Fugazzola, Olivier Chabre, Letizia Canu, Regis Cohen, Antoine Tabarin, Anita Spehar Uroic, Dominique Maiter, Sandrine Laboureau, Caterina Mian, Mariola Peczkowska, Frederic Sebag, Thierry Brue, Delphine Mirebeau-Prunier, Laurence Leclerc, Birke Bausch, Amandine Berdelou, Akihiro Sukurai, Petr Vlcek, Jolanta Krajewska, Marta Barontini, Carla Vaz Ferreira Vargas, Laura Valerio, Lucieli Ceolin, Srivandana Akshintala, Ana Hoff, Christian Godballe, Barbara Jarzab, Camilo Jimenez, Charis Eng, Tsuneo Imai, Martin Schlumberger, Elizabeth Grubbs, Henning Dralle, Hartmut P. Neumann, Eric Baudin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

75 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B is a rare syndrome caused mainly by Met918Thr germline RET mutation, and characterised by medullary thyroid carcinoma, phaeochromocytoma, and extra-endocrine features. Data are scarce on the natural history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B. We aimed to advance understanding of the phenotype and natural history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B, to increase awareness and improve detection. Methods: This study was a retrospective, multicentre, international study in patients carrying the Met918Thr RET variant with no age restrictions. The study was done with registry data from 48 centres globally. Data from patients followed-up from 1970 to 2016 were retrieved from May 1, 2016, to May 31, 2018. Our primary objectives were to determine overall survival, and medullary thyroid carcinoma-specific survival based on whether the patient had undergone early thyroidectomy before the age of 1 year. We also assessed remission of medullary thyroid carcinoma, incidence and treatment of phaeochromocytoma, and the penetrance of extra-endocrine features. Findings: 345 patients were included, of whom 338 (98%) had a thyroidectomy. 71 patients (21%) of the total cohort died at a median age of 25 years (range <1–59). Thyroidectomy was done before the age of 1 year in 20 patients, which led to long-term remission (ie, undetectable calcitonin level) in 15 (83%) of 18 individuals (2 patients died of causes unrelated to medullary thyroid carcinoma). Medullary thyroid carcinoma-specific survival curves did not show any significant difference between patients who had thyroidectomy before or after 1 year (comparison of survival curves by log-rank test: p=0·2; hazard ratio 0·35; 95% CI 0.07–1.74). However, there was a significant difference in remission status between patients who underwent thyroidectomy before and after the age of 1 year (p<0·0001). There was a significant difference in remission status between patients who underwent thyroidectomy before and after the age of 1 year (p<0·0001). In the other 318 patients who underwent thyroidectomy after 1 year of age, biochemical and structural remission was obtained in 47 (15%) of 318 individuals. Bilateral phaeochromocytoma was diagnosed in 156 (50%) of 313 patients by 28 years of age. Adrenal-sparing surgery was done in 31 patients: three (10%) of 31 patients had long-term recurrence, while normal adrenal function was obtained in 16 (62%) patients. All patients with available data (n=287) had at least one extra-endocrine feature, including 106 (56%) of 190 patients showing marfanoid body habitus, mucosal neuromas, and gastrointestinal signs. Interpretation: Thyroidectomy done at no later than 1 year of age is associated with a high probability of cure. The reality is that the majority of children with the syndrome will be diagnosed after this recommended age. Adrenal-sparing surgery is feasible in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B and affords a good chance for normal adrenal function. To improve the prognosis of such patients, it is imperative that every health-care provider be aware of the extra-endocrine signs and the natural history of this rare syndrome. The implications of this research include increasing awareness of the extra-endocrine symptoms and also recommendations for thyroidectomy before the age of 1 year. Funding: None.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)213-220
Number of pages8
JournalThe Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology
Volume7
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

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