Carney complex

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Carney complex is an autosomal dominant condition comprising myxomas of the heart and skin, hyperpigmentation of the skin (lentiginosis), and endocrine overactivity (Carney et al, 1985; McCarthy et al, 1986). It must be differentiated from Carney syndrome (also known as Carney triad). Approximately 7% of all cardiac myxomas are associated with Carney complex(Reynen 1995).

Pathophysiology

The majority of cases of Carney complex are caused by mutations in the PRKAR1-α gene on chromosome 17q24, which has been suggested to function as a tumor-suppressor gene.

Clinical Features

The spotty skin pigmentation and lentigines occur most commonly on the face, especially on the lips, eyelids, conjunctiva, and oral mucosa (McCarthy et al, 1986). Cardiac myxomas may lead to embolic strokes and heart failure (Reynen, 1995) and may present with fever, joint pain, shortness of breath, diastolic rumble, and tumor plop. Myxomas may also occur outside the heart, usually in the skin and breast. Endocrine tumors may manifest as disorders such as Cushing syndrome.

DIfferentiating Carney complex disease from other diseases


Disease	Gene	Chromosome	Differentiating Features	Components of MEN			Diagnosis
Disease	Gene	Chromosome	Differentiating Features	Parathyroid	Pitutary	Pancreas	Diagnosis
von Hippel-Lindau syndrome	Von Hippel–Lindau tumor suppressor	3p25.3	Angiomatosis, Hemangioblastomas, Pheochromocytoma, Renal cell carcinoma, Pancreatic cysts (pancreatic serous cystadenoma) Endolymphatic sac tumor, Bilateral papillary cystadenomas of the epididymis (men) or broad ligament of the uterus (women)	–	–	+	Clinical diagnosis In hereditary VHL, disease techniques such as Southern blotting and gene sequencing can be used to analyse DNA and identify mutations.
Carney complex	PRKAR1A	17q23-q24	Myxomas of the heart Hyperpigmentation of the skin (lentiginosis) Endocrine (ACTH-independent Cushing’s syndrome due to primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease)	–	–	–	Clinical diagnosis
Neurofibromatosis type 1	RAS	17	Scoliosis Learning disabilities Vision disorders Cutaneous lesions Epilepsy.	–	–	–	Prenatal Chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis can be used to detect NF-1 in the fetus. Postnatal Cardinal Clinical Features” are required for positive diagnosis. Six or more café-au-lait spots over 5 mm in greatest diameter in pre-pubertal individuals and over 15 mm in greatest diameter in post-pubertal individuals. Two or more neurofibromas of any type or 1 plexiform neurofibroma Freckling in the axillary (Crowe sign) or inguinal regions Optic glioma Two or more Lisch nodules (pigmented iris hamartomas) A distinctive osseous lesion such as sphenoid dysplasia, or thinning of the long bone cortex with or without pseudarthrosis.
Li-Fraumeni syndrome	TP53	17	Early onset of diverse amount of cancers such as Sarcoma Cancers of Breast Brain Adrenal glands	–	–	–	Criteria Sarcoma at a young age (below 45) A first-degree relative diagnosed with any cancer at a young age (below 45) A first or second degree relative with any cancer diagnosed before age 60.
Gardner’s syndrome	APC	5q21	Multiple polyps in the colon Osteomas of the skull Thyroid cancer, Epidermoid cysts, Fibromas Desmoid tumors	–	–	–	Clinical diagnosis Colonoscopy
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2	RET	–	Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) Pheochromocytoma Primary hyperparathyroidism	+	–	–	Hypercalcemia Hypophosphatemia, Elevated parathyroid hormone, Elevated norepinephrine Criteria Two or more specific endocrine tumors Medullary thyroid carcinoma Pheochromocytoma Parathyroid hyperplasia
Cowden syndrome	PTEN	–	Hamartomas	–	–	–	PTEN mutation probability risk calculator
Acromegaly/gigantism	–	–	Enlargement of the hands, feet, nose, lips and ears, and a general thickening of the skin Hypertrichosis Hyperpigmentation Hyperhidrosis Carpal tunnel syndrome.	–	+	–	An elevated concentration of serum growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) levels is diagnostic of acromegaly.
Pituitary adenoma	–	–	Visual field defects classically bitemporal hemianopsia Increased intracranial pressure Migraine Lateral rectus palsy	–	+	–	Elevated serum level of prolactin Elevated or decreased serum level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) Elevated or decreased serum level of growth hormone (GH) Elevated or decreased serum level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) Elevated or decreased serum level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) Elevated or decreased serum level of luteinizing hormone (LH)
Hyperparathyroidism	–	–	– Kidney stones Hypercalcemia, Constipation Peptic ulcers Depression	+	–	–	An elevated concentration of serum calcium with elevated parathyroid hormone level is diagnostic of primary hyperparathyroidism. Most consistent laboratory findings associated with the diagnosis of secondary hyperparathyroidism include elevated serum parathyroid hormone level and low to normal serum calcium. An elevated concentration of serum calcium with elevated parathyroid hormone level in post renal transplant patients is diagnostic of tertiary hyperparathyoidism.
Pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma	VHL RET NF1 SDHB SDHD	–	Characterized by Episodic hypertension Palpitations Anxiety Diaphoresis Weight loss	–	–	–	Increased catecholamines and metanephrines in plasma (blood) or through a 24-hour urine collection.
Adrenocortical carcinoma	p53 Retinoblastoma h19 Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) p57^kip2	17p, 13q	Cushing syndrome (cortisol hypersecretion) Conn syndrome (aldosterone hypersecretion) virilization (testosterone hypersecretion)	–	–	–	Increased serum glucose Increased urine cortisol Serum androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone Low serum potassium Low plasma renin activity High serum aldosterone. Excess serum estrogen.
Adapted from Toledo SP, Lourenço DM, Toledo RA. A differential diagnosis of inherited endocrine tumors and their tumor counterparts, journal=Clinics (Sao Paulo), volume= 68, issue= 7, 07/24/2013^[1]

Treatment

Cardiac myxomas can be difficult to remove surgically because of recurrence within the heart, often far away from the site of the initial tumor. (McCarthy et al, 1986; Reynen, 1995).

Related Disorders

LAMB (lentigines, atrial myxoma, mucocutaneous myxoma, blue nevi) and NAME (nevi, atrial myxoma, myxoid neurofibromata, ephelides) syndromes are considered variants of Carney complex.

References

Carney JA, Gordon H, Carpenter PC, Shenoy BV, Go VL (1985). “The complex of myxomas, spotty pigmentation, and endocrine overactivity”. Medicine (Baltimore). 64 (4): 270–83. PMID 4010501.
McCarthy PM, Piehler JM, Schaff HV, Pluth JR, Orszulak TA, Vidaillet HJ Jr, Carney JA (1986). “The significance of multiple, recurrent, and “complex” cardiac myxomas”. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 91 (3): 389–96. PMID 3951243.
Reynen K (1995). “Cardiac myxomas”. N Engl J Med. 333 (24): 1610–7. PMID 7477198.
Stratakis CA, Kirschner LS, Carney JA (2001). “Clinical and molecular features of the Carney complex: diagnostic criteria and recommendations for patient evaluation”. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 86 (9): 4041–6. PMID 11549623.

External links

de:Carney-Komplex

Template:WikiDoc Sources

↑ Toledo SP, Lourenço DM, Toledo RA (2013). “A differential diagnosis of inherited endocrine tumors and their tumor counterparts”. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 68 (7): 1039–56. doi:10.6061/clinics/2013(07)24. PMC 3715026. PMID 23917672.

[pmid23917672-1] Toledo SP, Lourenço DM, Toledo RA (2013). “A differential diagnosis of inherited endocrine tumors and their tumor counterparts”. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 68 (7): 1039–56. doi:10.6061/clinics/2013(07)24. PMC 3715026. PMID 23917672.

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