Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) includes varying combinations of more than 20 endocrine and non-endocrine tumors. Endocrine tumors become evident either by overproduction of hormones by the tumor or by growth of the tumor itself. Parathyroid tumors are the most common MEN1-associated endocrinopathy; onset in 90% of individuals is between ages 20 and 25 years with hypercalcemia evident by age 50 years; hypercalcemia causes lethargy, depression, confusion, anorexia, constipation, nausea, vomiting, diuresis, dehydration, hypercalciuria, kidney stones, increased bone resorption/fracture risk, hypertension, and shortened QT interval. Pituitary tumors include prolactinoma (the most common), which manifests as oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea and galactorrhea in females and sexual dysfunction in males. Well-differentiated endocrine tumors of the gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) tract can manifest as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (gastrinoma); hypoglycemia (insulinoma); hyperglycemia, anorexia, glossitis, anemia, diarrhea, venous thrombosis, and skin rash (glucagonoma); and watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria syndrome (vasoactive intestinal peptide [VIP]-secreting tumor). Carcinoid tumors are non-hormone-secreting and can manifest as a large mass after age 50 years. Adrenocortical tumors can be associated with primary hypercortisolism or hyperaldosteronism. Non-endocrine tumors include facial angiofibromas, collagenomas, lipomas, meningiomas, ependymomas, and leiomyomas.

Fibrous dysplasia / McCune-Albright syndrome (FD/MAS), the result of an early embryonic postzygotic somatic activating pathogenic variant in GNAS (encoding the cAMP pathway-associated G protein Gas [Gs alpha subunit]), is characterized by involvement of the skin, skeleton, and certain endocrine organs. However, because Gas signaling is ubiquitous, additional tissues may be affected. Hyperpigmented skin macules are common and are usually the first manifestation of the disease, apparent at or shortly after birth. Fibrous dysplasia (FD), which can involve any part and combination of the craniofacial, axial, and/or appendicular skeleton, can range from an isolated, asymptomatic monostotic lesion discovered incidentally to severe, disabling polyostotic disease involving practically the entire skeleton and leading to progressive scoliosis, facial deformity, and loss of mobility, vision, and/or hearing. Endocrinopathies include gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty resulting from recurrent ovarian cysts in girls and autonomous testosterone production in boys; testicular lesions with or without associated gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty; thyroid lesions with or without non-autoimmune hyperthyroidism; growth hormone excess; FGF23-mediated phosphate wasting with or without hypophosphatemia in association with fibrous dysplasia; and neonatal hypercortisolism.

Insulin-like growth factor I deficiency (IGF1D) is characterized by severe pre- and postnatal growth failure, sensorineural deafness, and impaired motor and intellectual development (summary by Bonapace et al., 2003).

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 4 (MEN4) is characterized by the development of endocrine tumors, especially those involving the parathyroid and/or pituitary gland. Parathyroid adenomas and parathyroid hyperplasia manifest as hypercalcemia (primary hyperparathyroidism) as a result of the overproduction of parathyroid hormone. Anterior pituitary adenomas can secrete adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH), prolactin, or are nonfunctional (nonsecreting) adenomas. Well-differentiated endocrine tumors of the gastroenteropancreatic tract, carcinoid tumors, and adrenocortical tumors can also occur.

Carney complex (CNC) is characterized by skin pigmentary abnormalities, myxomas, endocrine tumors or overactivity, and schwannomas. Pale brown to black lentigines are the most common presenting feature of CNC and typically increase in number at puberty. Cardiac myxomas occur at a young age, may occur in any or all cardiac chambers, and can manifest as intracardiac obstruction of blood flow, embolic phenomenon, and/or heart failure. Other sites for myxomas include the skin, breast, oropharynx, and female genital tract. Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD), which causes Cushing syndrome, is the most frequently observed endocrine tumor in CNC, occurring in approximately 25% of affected individuals. Large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumors (LCCSCTs) are observed in one third of affected males within the first decade and in most adult males. Up to 75% of individuals with CNC have multiple thyroid nodules, most of which are nonfunctioning thyroid follicular adenomas. Clinically evident acromegaly from a growth hormone (GH)-producing adenoma is evident in approximately 10% of adults. Psammomatous melanotic schwannoma (PMS), a rare tumor of the nerve sheath, occurs in an estimated 10% of affected individuals. The median age of diagnosis is 20 years.

X-linked acrogigantism is the occurrence of pituitary gigantism in an individual heterozygous or hemizygous for a germline or somatic duplication of GPR101. X-linked acrogigantism is characterized by acceleration of linear growth in early childhood – in most cases during the first two years of life – due to growth hormone (GH) excess. Most individuals with X-linked acrogigantism present with associated hyperprolactinemia due to a mixed GH- and prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma with or without associated hyperplasia; less commonly they develop diffuse hyperplasia of the GH- and prolactin-secreting pituitary cells without a pituitary adenoma. Most affected individuals are females. Growth acceleration is the main presenting feature; other frequently observed clinical features include enlargement of hands and feet, coarsening of the facial features, and increased appetite. Neurologic signs or symptoms are rarely present. Untreated X-linked acrogigantism can lead to markedly increased stature, with obvious severe physical and psychological sequelae.

Any pituitary gland adenoma in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the GPR101 gene.

AIP familial isolated pituitary adenoma (AIP-FIPA) is characterized by an increased risk of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs, also known as pituitary adenomas), including growth hormone (GH)-secreting PitNETs (somatotropinomas), prolactin-secreting PitNETs (prolactinomas), GH and prolactin cosecreting PitNETs (somatomammotropinomas), and clinically nonfunctioning PitNETs (NF-PitNETs). Rarely, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-secreting PitNETs (thyrotropinomas) are observed. Clinical findings result from excess hormone secretion, lack of hormone secretion, and/or mass effects (e.g., headaches, visual field loss). Within the same family, PitNETs can be of the same or different type. Age of diagnosis in AIP-FIPA is usually in the second or third decade.

Somatic mutations in the GNAS gene have been found predominantly in GH-secreting pituitary adenomas but also in ACTH-secreting adenomas. Mutations in the GNAS gene have been found in about 40% of sporadic somatotrophin adenomas (summary by Mete and Lopes, 2017). For a general description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of pituitary adenomas, see PITA1 (102200).