Five Families with Multiple Endocrine Adenomatosis

Members of five families, in whom at least one member was known to have multiple endocrine tumors, were screened for involvement with multiple endocrine adenomatosis. Of 27 family members who had not been previously studied, 8 were found to have hypercalcemia, of whom 7 were asymptomatic. All families had members with parathyroid and pancreatic islet cell tumors, and some families also had pituitary tumors, lipomas, and bronchial carcinoids. In the total sample of 38 patients the commonest abnormality was hypercalcemia, and the next commonest was pancreatic tumors. The most useful screening methods were taking clinical histories and evaluating serum calcium. We conclude that all family members of patients with multiple endocrine adenomatosis should be studied for possible involvement.