MBBS OSCE · General Medicine
OSCE — Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) Syndromes
Eight-minute OSCE station on Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) Syndromes: focused history, examination priorities, investigations, emergency and definitive management.
On this page
Study tools
Exam tags
Brief (to candidate)
You will assess a patient with a presentation consistent with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) Syndromes.
You have 8 minutes to take a focused history, outline examination, investigations, and management including red flags.
Clinical context
Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes are autosomal dominant disorders in which a single germline mutation predisposes to tumours of two or more endocrine glands throughout life. MEN 1 (Wermer syndrome) is caused by the MEN1 gene (menin) tumour suppressor on chromosome 11q13 and follows the 3 P's rule: Primary hyperparathyroidism (commonest, multi-gland hyperplasia), Pituitary adenoma (prolactinoma commonest) and Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (gastrinoma with Zollinger-Ellison commonest; insulinoma second). MEN 2A (Sipple syndrome) and MEN 2B are caused by the RET proto-oncogene on chromosome 10q11.2: MEN 2A features medullary thyroid carcinoma (near 100 percent), phaeochromocytoma
Candidate tasks
- Clarify onset, severity, associated features, and red-flag symptoms.
- State focused examination priorities.
- List first-line investigations and any named score/criteria.
- Give immediate resuscitation steps.
- Outline definitive management with doses/routes where standard.
- Name complications and disposition (ward / HDU / theatre / discharge safety-net).
- Mention one special-population modifier (pregnancy, child, elderly, CKD).
Examiner checklist
| Domain | Pass behaviours |
|---|---|
| Definition | Correct working diagnosis language |
| Assessment | Focused, prioritised, red flags sought |
| Investigations | Appropriate first-line + interpretation |
| Emergency care | ABC / time-critical actions first |
| Definitive care | Specific drugs/procedures, not generic phrases |
| Safety | Medullary thyroid cancer at any age - screen ALL MTC for RET (about 25 percent i |
| Safety | Phaeochromocytoma and thyroid cancer in the same patient or family - MEN 2A; gen |
| Safety | Marfanoid habitus with mucosal neuromas, chronic constipation and a neck mass - |
| Communication | Clear plan and safety-netting |
Model outline
Lead with the working diagnosis and life threats. Resuscitate before definitive tests when unstable. Use guideline-standard therapy with named agents and doses. Document escalation criteria and follow-up. A safe candidate is specific, structured, and never delays critical care for non-urgent imaging.