Doctors in China reported an unusual case of a 44-year-old man with a rare genetic condition called MEN-1 that caused tumors in multiple glands throughout his body. The patient had kidney stones for 19 years, unexplained weight loss, and high blood sugar. Testing revealed tumors in his pancreas and parathyroid gland that were releasing too many hormones. After surgery to remove the affected glands, his hormone levels returned to normal and his symptoms improved. This case teaches doctors to look for these rare hormone-producing tumors in patients with MEN-1 who have multiple unusual hormone imbalances.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: A single patient with a rare genetic condition (MEN-1) that caused multiple tumors producing too many hormones, and how doctors treated it
  • Who participated: One 44-year-old male patient with a 19-year history of kidney stones and recent weight loss and increased thirst
  • Key finding: The patient had a rare pancreatic tumor that was releasing multiple hormones at once. After surgery to remove the tumor and affected glands, all hormone levels returned to normal within 10 months
  • What it means for you: This case reminds doctors to consider rare hormone-producing tumors when patients with MEN-1 have multiple unusual hormone imbalances. If you have MEN-1 or a family history of it, discuss screening for these tumors with your doctor

The Research Details

This is a case report, which means doctors documented the medical history, diagnosis, and treatment of a single patient with an unusual condition. The patient presented with multiple symptoms including kidney stones, weight loss, excessive thirst, and abnormal blood sugar levels. Doctors performed blood tests to measure hormone levels, imaging studies (like CT scans) to find tumors, and genetic testing to identify the underlying cause. The patient underwent surgery to remove the affected glands, and doctors followed up with the patient for 10 months after surgery to monitor recovery.

The doctors used a technique called immunohistochemical staining on the removed tumor tissue, which is a special way to identify which hormones the tumor cells were producing. This helped confirm that the pancreatic tumor was unusually releasing multiple different hormones at the same time.

Case reports are important for documenting rare conditions that doctors might not see often. By publishing this case, the doctors help other physicians around the world recognize similar patterns in their own patients. This can lead to earlier diagnosis and better treatment outcomes for future patients with the same rare condition.

This is a single case report, so the findings apply only to this one patient and cannot be generalized to all people with MEN-1. However, the diagnosis was confirmed with genetic testing, which is very reliable. The patient was followed for 10 months after surgery, providing good evidence that the treatment was successful. The main limitation is that we cannot know if other patients would have the same outcome.

What the Results Show

The patient had a rare genetic condition called MEN-1, confirmed by finding a specific mutation in his DNA. This condition caused tumors in multiple glands: the parathyroid gland (which controls calcium levels) and the pancreas (which controls blood sugar). The pancreatic tumor was particularly unusual because it was releasing at least three different hormones: glucagon, calcitonin, and cortisol.

Before surgery, the patient’s hormone levels were dangerously high. He experienced kidney stones, extreme thirst, weight loss, and high blood sugar as a result. After surgery to remove the parathyroid gland and pancreas, all of these hormone levels returned to normal within the first 10 months. The patient’s symptoms improved significantly, and his blood sugar became manageable with insulin treatment.

The surgical approach was successful in controlling the hormone overproduction. The patient required ongoing treatment with pancreatic enzyme supplements (since the pancreas helps with digestion), calcium and vitamin D supplements (since the parathyroid gland was removed), and insulin for blood sugar control. Despite these ongoing needs, the patient reported an acceptable quality of life at the 10-month follow-up.

The case demonstrated that MEN-1 can cause multiple hormone-producing tumors simultaneously, which is rare. The patient’s long history of kidney stones (19 years) was likely related to the parathyroid tumor causing high calcium levels. The combination of symptoms—kidney stones, high blood sugar, weight loss, and excessive thirst—all pointed to multiple hormone imbalances that might have been missed if doctors only looked at one symptom at a time.

MEN-1 is a well-known genetic condition, but this case is notable because the pancreatic tumor was co-secreting multiple hormones simultaneously, which is uncommon. Most pancreatic hormone-producing tumors release only one hormone. This case adds to medical knowledge by showing that doctors should consider the possibility of multi-hormone tumors in MEN-1 patients with complex hormone imbalances. The successful surgical management and good long-term outcome support current treatment guidelines for MEN-1.

This is a single case report, so we cannot know if other patients with similar conditions would have the same results. The follow-up period was only 10 months, so we don’t know about long-term outcomes beyond that timeframe. The patient’s response to treatment may not be typical for all patients with MEN-1 or multi-hormone pancreatic tumors. Additionally, this case was reported in a Chinese medical journal, and the patient’s specific genetics and healthcare context may differ from other populations.

The Bottom Line

For patients with MEN-1: Work with your doctor to monitor hormone levels regularly and get imaging studies to screen for tumors. If you have multiple unusual hormone imbalances, ask your doctor about the possibility of hormone-producing tumors. Surgical removal of affected glands may be necessary and can be very effective. After surgery, you may need lifelong supplementation and medication management. Confidence level: High for MEN-1 patients; this case supports current medical guidelines.

This case is most relevant to: (1) People with MEN-1 or a family history of MEN-1, (2) Doctors and healthcare providers who treat patients with MEN-1 or unusual hormone imbalances, (3) Patients with unexplained kidney stones combined with high blood sugar or other hormone-related symptoms. This case is less relevant to people without MEN-1 or family history of the condition, as MEN-1 is rare.

In this patient, hormone levels normalized within weeks to months after surgery. However, the full recovery and adjustment to life without a pancreas took several months. Most patients would expect to see improvement in symptoms within 1-3 months after surgery, with full stabilization taking 6-12 months. Long-term management with supplements and medications is typically lifelong.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you have MEN-1, track your fasting blood glucose levels daily, calcium levels monthly, and hormone panel results every 3-6 months. Log any symptoms like excessive thirst, weight changes, or unusual fatigue. This data helps your doctor monitor disease progression and treatment effectiveness.
  • Set reminders for daily medication and supplement intake (calcium, vitamin D, pancreatic enzymes, insulin). Schedule regular blood work appointments every 3-6 months. Keep a symptom diary noting thirst, appetite, energy levels, and weight. Share this data with your healthcare provider at each visit.
  • Create a long-term health dashboard tracking: (1) Fasting blood glucose trends, (2) Hormone panel results over time, (3) Medication adherence, (4) Symptom severity scores, (5) Imaging study results and dates. Review trends quarterly with your doctor to adjust treatment as needed. Set annual goals for stable hormone levels and symptom management.

This case report describes a single patient’s experience with a rare genetic condition and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. MEN-1 is a serious genetic condition requiring specialized medical care. If you have symptoms of hormone imbalance (excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, kidney stones, or high blood sugar), consult with your healthcare provider immediately. Genetic testing and specialist evaluation are necessary for proper diagnosis. Do not make treatment decisions based on this case report alone. Always work with qualified healthcare providers, including endocrinologists and genetic counselors, if you have or suspect you have MEN-1. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.