Which features define MEN2B?

Which features define MEN2B?

• A. Pheochromocytoma, medullary thyroid cancer, and mucosal neuromas/marfanoid habitus
• B. Pheochromocytoma and medullary thyroid cancer only
• C. Hyperparathyroidism with papillary thyroid carcinoma
• D. Medullary thyroid cancer and goiter without neuromas

Answer: (A)

MEN2B is defined by a combination of medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and distinctive mucosal neuromas, along with a marfanoid body habitus. The mucosal neuromas, particularly on the lips and tongue, and the marfanoid appearance are key features that set MEN2B apart from other MEN syndromes. Importantly, hyperparathyroidism is not a typical part of MEN2B—that detail helps distinguish it from MEN2A, where parathyroid involvement is common. So the set that includes pheochromocytoma, medullary thyroid cancer, and the mucosal neuromas with marfanoid habitus captures MEN2B’s characteristic profile. The other choices either miss the neuromas/marfanoid traits, or introduce features more typical of MEN2A (like hyperparathyroidism) or non-MEN features, which do not fit MEN2B.

MEN2B is defined by a combination of medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and distinctive mucosal neuromas, along with a marfanoid body habitus. The mucosal neuromas, particularly on the lips and tongue, and the marfanoid appearance are key features that set MEN2B apart from other MEN syndromes. Importantly, hyperparathyroidism is not a typical part of MEN2B—that detail helps distinguish it from MEN2A, where parathyroid involvement is common.

So the set that includes pheochromocytoma, medullary thyroid cancer, and the mucosal neuromas with marfanoid habitus captures MEN2B’s characteristic profile. The other choices either miss the neuromas/marfanoid traits, or introduce features more typical of MEN2A (like hyperparathyroidism) or non-MEN features, which do not fit MEN2B.