An interesting case of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2A
Thambiah, S.C.; Abu-Bakar, M.; Bador, K.M.; Das, S.; Umar, N.A.
La Clinica Terapeutica 161(4): 349-354
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9074 PMID: 20931159 Document Number: 645064
We report the case of a 37-year-old Chinese man who came with a history of bilateral adrenalectomy and was admitted for recurrent phaeochromocytoma. Further investigations of an incidental finding of persistently raised carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), fi rst observed four years ago, revealed medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). As such, a provisional diagnosis of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia 2A (MEN 2A) was made. In this case, it seemed like the long-standing elevation of CEA was ignored until it was noted in a post-clinical discussion among several physicians. The present case illustrates the significance of considering a single abnormal biochemical test in an asymptomatic patient and also discusses the importance of life-long follow-up of a patient with a history of phaeochromocytoma.