Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) I
Posted inHealth Conditions & Disease Management

Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) I

No Comments
Published: July 27, 2026 | Last Reviewed: July 27, 2026 | Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Sarah Mitchell, MD, Geriatrics | Reading Time: 5 min




Key Takeaways

  • Understanding multiple endocrine neoplasia MEN type 1 seniors genetic disorder is important for seniors and their caregivers.
  • Symptoms vary from person to person, and depend on which gland is involved.
  • Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms.
  • Surgery to remove the diseased gland is often the treatment of choice.
  • Pituitary and parathyroid tumors are usually noncancerous (

To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript.


What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors?

Understanding multiple endocrine neoplasia MEN type 1 seniors genetic disorder is important for seniors and their caregivers. mEN I is caused by a change in a gene that carries the code for a protein called menin. The condition causes tumors of various glands to appear in the same person, but not necessarily at the same time.

The disorder may occur at any age, and it affects men and women equally. A family history of this disorder raises your risk.

What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?

What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs? - illustration

Symptoms vary from person to person, and depend on which gland is involved. They may include:

  • Abdominal pain

  • Anxiety

  • Black, tarry stools

  • Bloated feeling after meals
  • Burning, aching, or

    hunger

    discomfort in the upper abdomen or lower chest that is relieved by antacids, milk, or food

  • Decreased sexual interest

  • Fatigue

  • Headache
  • Lack of menstrual periods (in women)

  • Loss of appetite

  • Loss of body or facial hair (in men)

  • Mental changes

    or confusion

  • Muscle pain

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Sensitivity to the cold

  • Unintentional weight loss

  • Vision problems

  • Weakness

📖 What Are Exams and Tests?

What Are Exams and Tests?

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms. The following tests may be done:

  • Blood cortisol level

  • CT scan of the abdomen

  • Fasting blood sugar

  • Genetic testing

  • MRI of the abdomen

  • MRI of the head

    (pituitary)

  • Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone

  • Serum calcium

  • Serum follicle stimulating hormone

  • Serum gastrin

  • Serum glucagon

  • Serum insulin level

  • Serum luteinizing hormone

  • Serum parathyroid hormone

  • Serum prolactin

  • Serum thyroid stimulating hormone

  • Ultrasound of the neck
📖 How Is It Treated?

How Is It Treated?

Surgery to remove the diseased gland is often the treatment of choice. Medicines such as cabergoline and bromocriptine may be used instead of surgery for pituitary tumors that release the hormone prolactin.

The parathyroid glands, which regulate calcium production, can be removed. However, it is difficult for the body to regulate calcium levels without these glands, so a total parathyroid removal is not done first in most cases.

Medicines are available to decrease the excess stomach acid production caused by some tumors (gastrinomas), and to reduce the risk of ulcers.

Hormone replacement therapy is given when entire glands are removed or do not produce enough hormones.

📖 What Is Outlook (Prognosis)?

What Is Outlook (Prognosis)?

What Is Outlook (Prognosis)? - illustration

Pituitary and parathyroid tumors are usually noncancerous (

benign

), but some pancreatic tumors may become cancerous (malignant) and spread to the liver. These can lower life expectancy.

The symptoms of

peptic ulcer

disease, low blood sugar, excess calcium in the blood, and pituitary dysfunction usually respond well to appropriate treatment.

📖 What Are Possible Complications?

What Are Possible Complications?

The tumors can keep coming back. Symptoms and complications depend on which glands are involved. Regular check-ups by your provider are essential.

📖 When to Contact a Medical Professional?

When to Contact a Medical Professional?

Contact your provider if you notice symptoms of MEN I or have a family history of this condition.

📖 How Is It Prevented?

How Is It Prevented?

Screening close relatives of people affected with this disorder is recommended.

Wermer syndrome; MEN I

  • Endocrine glands

    Endocrine glands

National Comprehensive Cancer Network website. Clinical practice guidelines in oncology (NCCN guidelines): neuroendocrine and adrenal tumors. Version 3.2025.

www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/neuroendocrine.pdf

. Updated October 1, 2025. Accessed February 23, 2026.

Newey PJ, Thakker RV. Endocrine neoplasia syndromes. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Rosen CJ, Kopp PA, eds.

Williams Textbook of Endocrinology

. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 42.

Newey PJ, Thakker RV. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. In: Robertson RP, ed.

DeGroot’s Endocrinology

. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 133.

Nieman LK, Spiegel AM. Polyglandular disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds.

Goldman-Cecil Medicine

. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 212.

Updated by: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.


  • Endocrine Diseases

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

Understanding multiple endocrine neoplasia MEN type 1 seniors genetic disorder is important for seniors and their caregivers. Symptoms vary from person to person, and depend on which gland is involved. Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms.

What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors?

Understanding multiple endocrine neoplasia MEN type 1 seniors genetic disorder is important for seniors and their caregivers. mEN I is caused by a change in a gene that carries the code for a protein called menin. The condition causes tumors of various glands to appear in the same person, but not necessarily at the same time.

What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?

Symptoms vary from person to person, and depend on which gland is involved. They may include:

Abdominal pain

Anxiety

Black, tarry stools

Bloated feeling after meals

Burning, aching, or

hunger

discomfort in the upper abdomen or lower chest that is relieved by antacids, milk, or food

Decreased sexual interest

Fatigue

Headache

Lack of menstrual periods (in women)

Loss of appetite

Loss of body or facial hair (in men)

Mental changes

or confusion

Muscle pain

Nausea and vomiting

Sensitivity to the cold

Unintentional weight loss

Vision problems

Weakness

📖 What Are Exams and Tests?

What Are Exams and Tests?

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms. The following tests may be done:

Blood cortisol level

CT scan of the abdomen

Fasting blood sugar

Genetic testing

MRI of the abdomen

MRI of the head

(pituitary)

Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone

Serum calcium

Serum follicle stimulating hormone

Serum gastrin

Serum glucagon

Serum insulin level

Serum luteinizing hormone

Serum parathyroid hormone

Serum prolactin

Serum thyroid stimulating hormone

Ultrasound of the neck

📖 How Is It Treated?

How Is It Treated?

Surgery to remove the diseased gland is often the treatment of choice. Medicines such as cabergoline and bromocriptine may be used instead of surgery for pituitary tumors that release the hormone prolactin. The parathyroid glands, which regulate calcium production, can be removed.

About the Author: This article was researched and written by the SilverWell Hub editorial team. It was medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Mitchell, MD, Geriatrics.

Sources: This article is adapted from MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. See our full Medical Disclaimer.

Published: July 27, 2026 | Next review: January 2027