Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid with ectopic ACTH syndrome.
An autopsied patient with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid and ectopic ACTH syndrome is reported. A microadenoma of pancreatic islet coexisted in this case, which is assumed to be of D cell origin. Immunohistochemical study revealed decreased number of pituitary ACTH cells. Some of them showed Crooke's degeneration. Hormone assay study of tumor tissue and plasma disclosed abnormal ACTH, beta-MSH as well as calcitonin. Somatostatin and Substance P were also demonstrated in tissue. Histologically the tumor showed solid alveolar pattern with a minor part consisting of small cell variant and this histologic variation is discussed.
D000182:ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic / Q000473:pathology*; D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology; D001344:Autopsy; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D009384:Paraneoplastic Endocrine Syndromes / Q000473:pathology*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000473:pathology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology