Surgical Approach of Synchronous Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma and Pheochromocytoma in MEN 2 Syndrome

Authors

Georg F. W. Scheumann
Henning Dralle

Abstract

In cases with concurrent medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and pheochromocytoma, discussion regarding a one-stage versus two-stage treatment strategy approach remains open. From 1975 to 1990, 11 of 25 multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) patients presented with biendocrinopathies or triendocrinopathies synchronously. All patients were treated surgically and followed subsequently in our hospital. Of the group of nine patients with concurrent MTC and pheochromocytoma, five were treated in one-stage and four in two-stage procedures. No patient had major complications intraoperatively. For the two-stage group, the total hospital stay (preoperatively and postoperatively) averaged 35 days. For the one-stage group, the total hospital stay averaged 25 days. In patients with increased operative risks (patients with higher age and impaired physical condition or if neck surgery includes transstemal cervicomediastinal lymphadenectomy), two-stage procedures should be selected. However, in young patients with the MEN 2 syndrome or syndromes with small tumors detected by family screening, thyroidectomy, cervical lymphadenectomy, and adrenalectomy may be performed in a one-stage procedure without increasing surgically related morbidity.

Recommended Citation

Scheumann, Georg F. W. and Dralle, Henning (1992) "Surgical Approach of Synchronous Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma and Pheochromocytoma in MEN 2 Syndrome," Henry Ford Hospital Medical Journal : Vol. 40 : No. 3 , 278-280.
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/hfhmedjournal/vol40/iss3/32