Multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2B, with medullary thyroid carcinoma: a diagnostic potential for dentistry.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) Type 2B is designation that has been proposed for the combination of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), parathyroid adenoma, pheochromocytoma, mucosal neuromas, and somatic abnormalities. ~ The neural lesions produced a characteristic diffuse or nodular involvement of the tongue, lips, and buccal mucosa. Because of these multiple neuromas on the mucosal surfaces, this entity also became known as "multiple mucosal neuroma syndrome.’’2 Early recognition of the oral lesions and peculiar facies present a pathognomonic pattern for this disease. It is a pattern which should alert the dental clinician to a potentially lethal set of sequelae. Three forms of MEN have been defined. They are Type 1, Type 2A, and Type 2B which is also called Type 3 by some authorities. 3 Type 1 involves the pituitary and adrenal glands. 3 Type 2A includes MTC, pheochromocytoma, and parathyroid adenoma. 5 In addition to the same involvement as Type 2A, Type 2B (or Type 3) also includes the entities of mucosalneuromas, peculiar facies, and other somatic abnormalities. 6