Multiple Endocrine Neoplasias (MEN) Patient Education Conference to Be Held at MD Anderson Cancer Center in June

MEN, carcinoid, and neuroendocrine tumor patients, family members, advocacy groups, physicians, and caregivers are invited to attend MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Multiple Endocrine Neoplasias Patient Education Conference on Saturday, June 26, 2010 from 8:30 am to 3:15 pm.  The conference will be held in the Cancer Prevention Building, Floor 8, Rooms 1-8.  MD Anderson Cancer Center is located in Houston, Texas.

The conference is sponsored by MD Anderson’s Clinical Cancer Genetics program, which offers hereditary cancer risk assessment, genetic counseling and genetic testing based on patients’ individual needs, medical, and family history.

The agenda for the MEN Patient Education Conference includes:

  • Overview of MEN:  Historical Perspective (Robert Gagel, MD, Division Head, Internal Medicine)
  • Genetic Testing:  Understanding the Process, Interpreting the Results, and Updates to the Testing Methods (Thereasa Rich, MS, CGC, Genetic Counselor, Clinical Cancer Genetics)
  • Prenatal Diagnosis and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Options (Sandra Darilek, MS, CGC, Genetic Counselor, Baylor College of Medicine)
  • MEN:  Pediatric Perspective (Steven Waguespack, MD, Associate Professor, Endocrine Neoplasia and HD)
  • Practical Issues in Living with a Chronic Condition

Dr. Robert F. Gagel

The breakout sessions will be:

  •  Pancreatic Tumor Surgical Management, What’s New in 2010 (Jeffrey E. Lee, MD, Professor, Surgical Oncology)
  • Advanced Neuroendocrine Cancer Treatment and Clinical Trials (Alexandria Phan, MD, Associate Professor, GI Medical Oncology)
  • Long-term Screening and Management of MEN 1 (Anita Ying, MD, Assistant Professor, Endocrine Neoplasia and HD)
  • Update on MTC Prevention and Genotype Phenotype Correlations (Elizabeth Grubbs, MD, Assistant Professor, Surgical Oncology)
  • Advanced Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma and Targeted Therapies (Mimi Hu, MD, Assistant Professor, Endocrine Neoplasia and HD)
  • Pheochromocytoma Management:  What’s New in Surgery?  (Nancy Perrier, MD)

Dr. Alexandria Phan

Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes received their name because they predispose people to develop tumors of the endocrine glands. The endocrine system is comprised of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream that control numerous processes within the body. The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development, metabolism, as well as sexual function and reproductive processes.

The major glands of the endocrine system affected by the MEN syndromes are the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals and pancreas. Currently, there are two distinct MEN syndromes, MEN1 and MEN2. In some ways, the two syndromes are similar, but there are important differences.

MEN1 is an inherited disorder that causes tumors in the endocrine glands and the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. MEN1 is sometimes called multiple endocrine adenomatosis or Wermer’s syndrome, after one of the first doctors to recognize it. MEN1 is rare, occurring in about one in 30,000 people. The disorder affects both sexes equally and shows no geographical, racial, or ethnic preferences.

The tumors associated with MEN1 are usually benign, meaning they are not cancerous. However, they can disrupt normal function by releasing hormones or by crowding nearby tissue. Eventually, about half of people with MEN1 will develop a cancerous pancreatic or carcinoid tumor.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) is characterized by a very high risk of developing medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Individuals with MEN2 have a greater than 95% chance of developing MTC in their lifetime. MEN2 is divided into three clinical subtypes: MEN2A, MEN2B, and Familial Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.

To read more about MEN, visit MD Anderson’s Clinical Cancer Genetics program at http://bit.ly/d2EntF or the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service. 

Registration for the MEN Patient Education Conference is free.  To register call 713-745-7391 or send an e-mail to:  ccg@mdanderson.org.  For more information, click here:  www.mdanderson.org/departments/ccg.

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