Noonan syndrome (NS) is associated with short stature. Growth hormone treatment has been FDA approved for use in these patients. Children with NS are at a higher risk of developing benign and malignant proliferative disorders, primary brain tumors being one of them. Since growth hormone therapy can worsen the tumor burden, screening with a brain MRI prior to growth hormone initiation in NS patients is strongly recommended. Here we present two NS patients who developed different primary brain tumors while being on growth hormone therapy.

Keywords:
Noonan syndrome, Brain tumors, Growth hormone
1.
van der Burgt I: Noonan syndrome. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2007; 2:4.
2.
Fryssira H, Leventopoulos G, Psoni S, Kitsiou-Tzeli S, Stavrianeas N, Kanavakis E: Tumor development in three patients with Noonan syndrome. Eur J Pediatr 2008; 167:1025–1031.
3.
Karafin M, Jallo GI, Ayars M, Eberhart CG, Rodriguez FJ: Rosette forming glioneuronal tumor in association with Noonan syndrome: pathobiological implications. Clin Neuropathol 2011; 30:297–300.
4.
Perry JK, Emerald BS, Mertani HC, Lobie PE: The oncogenic potential of growth hormone. Growth Horm IGF Res 2006; 16:277–289.
5.
Schuettpelz LG, McDonald S, Whitesell K, Desruisseau DM, Grange DK, Gurnett CA, Wilson DB: Pilocytic astrocytoma in a child with Noonan syndrome. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009; 53:1147–1149.
6.
Wilton P, Mattsson AF, Darendeliler F: Growth hormone treatment in children is not associated with an increase in the incidence of cancer: experience from KIGS (Pfizer International Growth Database). J Pediatr 2010; 157:265–270.
7.
Jongmans MC, van der Burgt I, Hoogerbrugge PM, Noordam K, Yntema HG, Nillesen WM, Kuiper RP, Ligtenberg MJ, van Kessel AG, van Krieken JH, Kiemeney LA, Hoogerbrugge N: Cancer risk in patients with Noonan syndrome carrying a PTPN11 mutation. Eur J Hum Genet 2011; 19:870–874.
8.
Chemaitilly W, Robison LL: Safety of growth hormone treatment in patients previously treated for cancer. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 2012; 41:785–792.
© 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel
2017
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.