Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) II

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Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) II

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia II (MEN II) is a hereditary disorder in which a type of thyroid cancer accompanied by recurring cancer of the adrenal glands.

One type of this disease (MEN IIa) is also associated with overgrowth (hyperplasia) of the parathyroid gland.

The cause of MEN II is genetic -- a mutation in a gene called RET. Multiple tumors may appear in the same person, but not necessarily at the same time. The adrenal tumor is a pheochromocytoma and the thyroid tumor is a medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.

The disorder may occur at any age, and affects men and women equally. The main risk factor is a family history of MEN II.

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