Endocrine Cell Hyperplasia

Abstract

The term “endocrine cell hyperplasia” refers to two separate groups of nonneoplastic disorders. The larger group encompasses several conditions in which the hyperplastic process affects the entire endocrine cell compartment, that is, the α-, β-, δ-, and PP- cell populations. The second and much smaller group is characterized by hyperplasia of only one specific endocrine cell type, which, thus far, has been reported only for the α-, β-, and PP- cell types. While the group of hyperplastic disorders affecting all endocrine cell types usually represents an adaptive or secondary process, the underlying cause for some of the single endocrine cell hyperplasias has been identified as a single-gene defect. The histological and clinical features, and the differential diagnosis of the various forms of endocrine cell hyperplasia are discussed.