Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 in Poland: a two-centre experience

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) has been causing problems for clinicians since it was first described in 1954 by Wermer. Not only its rarity, but also its variable clinical manifestations and lack of genotype-phenotype correlation make it hard to establish evidence-based guidelines for the management of this syndrome. Nationwide registers and population-based research are the best means to improve knowledge about this rare disease. As yet, there is no example of such research in the Polish population of MEN1 patients.

We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical and genetic data of patients diagnosed with MEN1 syndrome and followed-up in two polish referral centres in the years 1994-2018.

We analysed 79 patients, of whom the majority were women. The mean age of the patient population was 43 years, mean age at MEN1 diagnosis was 37.95 years, and mean interval from initial symptoms to MEN1 diagnosis was 6.93 years. Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP), gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (GEP-NET), and pituitary adenoma (PA) developed in 90%, 52%, and 47% of patients, respectively. The dominance of insulinoma with low prevalence of gastrinoma is the most vivid difference, when compared to previously described populations. Moreover, we found 3.5-fold higher risk of developing a pituitary tumour in patients with a frameshift mutation with the STOP codon of the MEN1 gene.

The Polish population of patients with MEN1 is different than previously described European and Asian populations, primarily in prevalence of functional NETs. A frameshift mutation with the STOP codon of the MEN1 gene significantly increases the risk of PA. Further studies with a larger cohort of patients are needed to fully describe the Polish population and improve diagnosis and management of the syndrome.