Candidiasis and Multiple Endocrinopathy

A 26-year-old man having multiple endocrinopathy (pernicious anemia, hypothyroidism, hypoadrenocorticism, gonadal failure, and diabetes mellitus) and chronic candidiasis developed several rapidly growing primary tumors on the oral mucosa. Histologically, the tumors appeared to be very well differentiated squamous cell carcinomas. Yet, in spite of all therapeutic attempts, the tumors rapidly progressed and within eight months resulted in disseminated carcinomatosis and death. At autopsy the patient was found to have had a miniscule dysplastic thymus. It is postulated that in chronic candidiasis and polyendocrinopathy a defect may exist in immunologic cellular surveillance for recognition and destruction of aberrant cells.