Triple malignancy (NET, GIST and pheochromocytoma) as a first manifestation of neurofibromatosis type-1 in an adult patient

Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Optimizing Management with a Multidisciplinary Approach

Neurofibromatosis Type I (NF1) is a complex genetic condition that affects multiple organ systems and presents a unique set of challenges for clinicians in its management. NF1 is a tumor predisposition syndrome that primarily affect the peripheral and central nervous systems via the impact of haploinsufficiency upon neural crest lineage cells including Schwann cells, melanocytes, fibroblasts, etc. NF1 can further lead to pathology of the skin, bones, visual system, and cardiovascular system, all of which can drastically reduce a patient's quality of life (QOL). This review provides a comprehensive examination of the many specialties required for the care of patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). We delve into the pathogenesis and clinical presentation of NF1, highlighting its diverse manifestations and the challenges they pose in management. The review underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to NF1, emphasizing how such an approach can significantly improve patient outcomes and overall QOL. Central to this approach is the role of the NF expert, who guides a multidisciplinary team (MDT) comprising healthcare professionals from many areas of expertise. The MDT collaboratively addresses the multifaceted needs of NF1 patients, ensuring comprehensive and personalized care. This review highlights the need for further investigation to optimize the workflow for NF1 patients in an MDT setting, and to improve implementation and efficacy.

Periampullary tumors in a patient with pancreatic divisum and neurofibromatosis type 1: a case report

INTRODUCTION

We present a case of a male patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 diagnosed with pancreatic divisum and several gastrointestinal tumors. A 55-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with recurrent chronic pancreatitis, indicating a large mass in the ampulla. In addition, genetic testing revealed two unique germline mutations in the neurofibromin (NF1) gene, and their potential interaction in promoting cancer was further investigated.

CONCLUSION

The first similar case was reported in 2020. The current case was distinct from other cases since an additional two NF1 mutations were found in the patient. In conjunction with prior case reports, our findings imply that genetic testing in patients diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 could be helpful in the development of effective treatments.

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal resection of the duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors in neurofibromatosis type 1; Case Report and literature review

Background

Neurofibromatosis type 1, also known as NF1, is a disorder that is passed down in an autosomal dominant manner. It manifests in a wide variety of tumors and affects several organ systems. It is expected that those carrying the NF1 gene will develop a rare mesenchymal tumor known as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) more than general population.

Case report

This research discusses a 42-year-old female patient with NF1 who was identified with a duodenal GIST but clinically and radiographically misinterpreted as having a retroperitoneal neurofibroma. She had minimally invasive retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery to remove the tumor and primary anastomosis of the affected duodenal wall. A spindle cell GIST was entirely excised during surgery, as indicated by the pathologist. As a consequence of dialogue at a multidisciplinary team meeting, the patient was discharged from the hospital on the fourth postoperative day and is presently undergoing regular clinical follow-up.

Conclusion

Anatomically problematic sites, such as the duodenal GIST in NF1 patients, can be treated safely with the laparoscopic retroperitoneal approach even when retroperitoneal neoplasia arises from the intrabdominal structure and protrudes into the retroperitoneal region.

A Rare Case of the Coexistence of Pancreaticobiliary Maljunction and Gastrointestinal Tumor in Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a congenital condition characterized by "café au lait" spots and subcutaneous fibromas. There are various combined diseases, such as malignant tumors in the abdominal organs or brain tumors.

Here, we present a case of a 35-year-old patient with a rare combination of NF1 with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM). At the first visit, her main symptom was right upper abdominal pain. Radiological investigations revealed a common bile duct stone, submucosal tumor in the duodenum, PBM, and abnormal findings in the intrahepatic bile ducts. After the common bile duct stone was removed by endoscopic intervention, the patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, resection of the duodenal submucosal tumor, and liver biopsy. Pathological examination revealed chronic cholecystitis, GIST of the duodenum, and chronic inflammation of the intrahepatic bile ducts.

This is the first case report of the rare coexistence of GIST and PBM in a patient with NF1.

Neuroendocrine Tumor with Metachronous Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in a Patient: A Case Report

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) that arise from neuroendocrine cells can develop in most organs; however, it is rarely found in the duodenal papilla. Conversely, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), which are mostly asymptomatic and detected incidentally, are usually found in the stomach and very rarely occur metachronously with NETs. A 42-year-old female with no specific underlying disease underwent gastroscopy due to epigastric pain. Biopsy of enlarged major and minor duodenal papilla confirmed the diagnosis of a NET. Endoscopic papillectomy of the major and minor papillae was performed. Multiple duodenal and jejunal submucosal nodules were seen on biliary CT performed at the 30 months follow-up. Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed due to the suspicion of multiple recurrent NETs and muscularis propria involvement on endoscopic ultrasound. Surgical specimen biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of multiple duodenal and jejunal GIST lesions and a metastatic NET in the duodenal lymph node. We report a rare case of a GIST detected in the duodenum during follow-up after the diagnosis and papillectomy of duodenal papilla NET.

Pancreatic Gastrinoma, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST), Pheochromocytoma, and Hürthle Cell Neoplasm in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a multi-tumor syndrome in which affected patients develop malignancies that are rare in the overall population, such as tumors of neural or endocrine origin. CASE REPORT A 67-year-old woman with a clinical diagnosis of NF1 presented with abdominal pain and pneumoperitoneum. She underwent small-bowel resections for a perforated jejunal lesion and a second lesion in the ileum; pathology showed a neurofibroma at the site of the perforation and a 1-cm low-grade GIST, respectively. Additional staging with cross-sectional imaging identified a 3.7-cm pancreatic head mass and a 1.7-cm left adrenal mass; biochemical studies revealed elevated serum gastrin and urinary free metanephrines and catecholamines consistent with pheochromocytoma. Initial surgical management was a left posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy. Postoperatively, gallium-68-DOTATOC PET/CT showed uptake in the pancreatic head and a 28-mm left thyroid nodule. Months later, she had an open pancreaticoduodenectomy. Pathology showed pheochromocytoma and a low-grade (G1) gastrinoma involving 2/8 peripancreatic lymph nodes (pT3pN1M0), respectively. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid nodule showed features consistent with a Hürthle cell neoplasm. Genetic testing identified a pathogenic mutation in NF1 and no mutations in BRCA1/2, CDC72, MEN1, or PALB2. The patient continues surveillance, with no evidence of recurrent disease. CONCLUSIONS We report the fifth case of gastrinoma associated with NF1 and the first to arise from the pancreas. This case of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor was associated with multiple additional neoplasms. Neuroendocrine tumors found in NF1 should raise suspicion of other malignancies.

Identification and Validation of Circulating Micrornas as Prognostic Biomarkers in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients Undergoing Surgical Resection

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal and aggressive cancers with a less than 6% five-year survival rate. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as a useful tool for non-invasive diagnosis and prognosis estimation in the various cancer types, including PDAC. Our study aimed to evaluate whether miRNAs in the pre-operative blood plasma specimen have the potential to predict the prognosis of PDAC patients. In total, 112 PDAC patients planned for surgical resection were enrolled in our prospective study. To identify prognostic miRNAs, we used small RNA sequencing in 24 plasma samples of PDAC patients with poor prognosis (overall survival (OS) < 16 months) and 24 plasma samples of PDAC patients with a good prognosis (OS > 20 months). qPCR validation of selected miRNA candidates was performed in the independent cohort of PDAC patients (n = 64). In the discovery phase of the study, we identified 44 miRNAs with significantly different levels in the plasma samples of the group of good and poor prognosis patients. Among these miRNAs, 23 showed lower levels, and 21 showed higher levels in plasma specimens from PDAC patients with poor prognosis. Eleven miRNAs were selected for the validation, but only miR-99a-5p and miR-365a-3p were confirmed to have significantly lower levels and miR-200c-3p higher levels in plasma samples of poor prognosis cases. Using the combination of these 3-miRNA levels, we were able to identify the patients with poor prognosis with sensitivity 85% and specificity 80% (Area Under the Curve = 0.890). Overall, 3-miRNA prognostic score associated with OS was identified in the pre-operative blood plasma samples of PDAC patients undergoing surgical resection. Following further independent validations, the detection of these miRNA may enable identification of PDAC patients who have no survival benefit from the surgical treatment, which is associated with the high morbidity rates.

Pheochromocytoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumours in an adult neurofibromatosis type 1 patient: a rare co-occurrence

The risk of tumours including pheochromocytoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) has been reported to be higher in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients. The concomitant occurrence of these two tumours was rare in NF1 patient and most were symptomatic. In this case report, we describe the case of a 47-year-old man with NF1 who presented with microscopic haematuria. Neither hypertension nor any gastrointestinal symptoms were reported by the patient. While investigating for haematuria, left adrenal mass and arterial enhancing lesions in the small bowel were incidentally documented during computerised urography. The patient subsequently underwent a left adrenalectomy and small bowel resection. The pheochromocytoma and multiple GIST tumours were diagnosed based on pathology. Here, we discuss the rare association of pheochromocytoma and GIST and the asymptomatic presentation of those tumours in an NF1 patient. We further suggest that in NF1 patients a heightened level of vigilance can help identify this infrequent combination.

Synchronous Periampullary Tumors in a Patient With Pancreas Divisum and Neurofibromatosis Type 1

INTRODUCTION

In this study, we describe for the first time a Neurofibromatosis type 1 patient with pancreas divisum, multiple periampullary tumors and germline pathogenic variants in NF1 and CFTR genes.

CASE REPORT

A 62-year-old female NF1 patient presented with weakness, choluria, nausea, and diffuse abdominal pain to an emergency room service. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an abdominal mass involving the periampullary region and pancreas divisum. After surgical resection, three synchronous neoplasms were detected including two ampullary tumors (adenocarcinoma of the major ampulla and a neuroendocrine tumor of the minor ampulla) and a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Germline multigene panel testing (MGPT) identified two pathogenic heterozygous germline variants: NF1 c.838del and CFTR c.1210-34TG[12]T[5].

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of a Neurofibromatosis type 1 patient with pancreas divisum and multiple periampullary tumors harboring pathogenic germline variants in NF1 and CFTR genes. The identification of two germline variants and a developmental anomaly in this patient may explain the unusual and more severe findings and underscores the importance of comprehensive molecular analyses in patients with complex phenotypes.