Successful management of a multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1-associated thymic neuroendocrine neoplasms with acute chest pain as initial symptom: A rare case report

Key clinical message: Acute chest pain can be the first manifestation of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1(MEN1)-associated thymic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN). Comprehensive treatment may be an effective strategy for MEN1-associated NEN.

Abstract: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1(MEN1)-associated thymic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) is caused by the mutation of tumor suppressor MEN1 gene. Patients with MEN1-associated NEN initially presenting with acute chest pain are very rare. In the manuscript, we reported a case of a 45-year-old man who developed MEN1-associated NEN with acute chest pain as initial symptom. Thoracoscopic thymotomy was performed and thymic NEN was successfully removed. Genetic test showed a germline mutation of MEN1 gene in this patient. Immunohistochemical staining exhibited Syn(+), CgA(+), INSM1(+), CD56(+) and Ki67-positive cells (2%) in MEN1-associated NEN. Further evaluation unveiled MEN1-associated benign tumors including digestive NEN and pituitary gland adenoma. The 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy showed that focally increased radioactivity in the mid-upper abdomen. This patient was administered with 50Gy/25F of radiation dose to treat the postoperative lesions. Subsequently, sandostatin LAR (30 mg per week) was used as systemic therapy. He had no recurrence or metastasis for 6-month follow-up. Thus, acute chest pain can be the first manifestation of MEN1-associated NEN, and comprehensive treatment including surgery, radiation and systemic treatment may be an effective strategy for MEN1-associated NEN.