Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia 1 and 2 patients and their families are invited to a free, half-day education seminar on Saturday, March 22, 2014, presented by the Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois and American Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Support (a division of the Hageman Foundation). The seminar will be held at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and begins at 12:15 pm. At 5:45 pm participants are invited to a reception at the Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile with AMEN Support.
The seminar keynote speaker will be Stephen Marx, MD from the National Institutes of Health talking about The Genetics of MEN. Other seminar topics are:
• Genetic Counseling
• MEN in Children
• Pancreatic Surgery for MEN1
• Carcinoids and Neuroendocrine Tumors
• Management of MEN1 – Pituitary Tumors
• Adrenal Tumors in MEN1 and MEN2
• Hyperparathyroidism in MEN1 and MEN2
• Medullary Cancer in MEN2
• Targeted Agents and Clinical Trials for Medullary Thyroid Cancer
• Long-Term Follow Up of MEN Patients
Participants are also welcome to attend Cancer Connections from 9 am to 12:30 pm on the morning of the MEN Seminar. Topics include Nutrition, Clinical Trials, Finding Inspiration, Fitness, and Caregivers’ Networking. For more information, click here.
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.
MEN graphic from Wikipedia
MEN1 is an inherited disorder that causes tumors in the endocrine glands and 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 the Lurie Cancer Center for information about endocrine cancer, Mayo Clinic’s website for information about Type 1, about Type 1 and Type 2 atcancer.net, oncologist-approved cancer information from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, or the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service by clicking here.
For MEN seminar participants, a special rate of $149.00 per night will be offered at the Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile located across the street from the hospital. Please reserve through the hotel at 312-787-1234312-787-1234.
While in Chicago, choose from hundreds of area attractions, shopping, and dining, including the Chicago Cultural Center, the Art Institute of Chicago, Navy Pier, John G. Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, and the John Hancock Observatory. From Trip Advisor, here are 360 attractions travelers recommend.
