Definition (Pubmed)
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 ( MEN1 ) is an inherited disorder that affects the endocrine glands. MEN1 is quite rare, occurring in about 3 to 20 persons out of 100,000. It affects both sexes equally and shows no geographical, racial, or ethnic preferences.
In patients with MEN1, sometimes multiple endocrine glands, such as the parathyroid, the pancreas, and the pituitary become overactive at the same time.
Thymus is very often involved too (search PubMed: multiple endocrine neoplasia thymus)
The link between parathyroid and thymus depends on the common embrionic origin.
[Comments on a series of 38 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism (author's transl)]
Update on secondary forms of hyperparathyroidism.
Osteoporosis in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: severity, clinical significance, relationship to primary hyperparathyroidism, and response to parathyroidectomy.
