Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a relatively common inherited disorder. Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 are at high risk of developing neurogenic, neuroendocrine and mesenchymal intra-abdominal tumors. Although coexistence of multiple tumors of different types is frequent in neurofibromatosis type 1, simultaneous occurrence of abdominal tumors of three types in very rare.
A 66-year-old lady with neurofibromatosis type 1 presented with painless progressive jaundice for six months. Laboratory investigations revealed iron deficiency anemia and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Tumor markers were normal. Abdominal computed tomography showed a 3 × 2 cm heterogenous mass in the periampullary region with mild dilation of the common bile duct and another 2 × 1.7 cm mass in the fourth portion of the duodenum. Endoscopic biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of periampullary carcinoid. At surgery, multiple small nodules were detected at the hepatic hilum. Frozen section suggested them to be neurofibromas. Patient underwent pancreatoduodenectomy and had uneventful recovery with no recurrence at two months. Microscopic examination of the resected specimen confirmed presence of three tumors: periampullary well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor, gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the fourth part of duodenum and plexiform neurofibroma at the hepatic hilum.
Patients of neurofibromatosis type 1 with abdominal symptoms should be treated with high index of clinical suspicion and thoroughly evaluated to rule out multiple tumors.