Experience in diagnosis and treatment of ectopic ACTH syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To increase the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic ACTH syndrome.


METHODS
The data of 12 ectopic ACTH syndrome patients treated from 1985 to 1999 were retrospectively analyzed.


RESULTS
Twelve patients were diagnosed as having ACTH syndrome by endocrinary test and primary tumors were ascertained by imaging examination. Follow-up from 7 months to 8 years showed 3 out of 5 patients with radical resection of primary tumor died. One patient with bilateral adrenorectomy was still alive. All patients received only chemotherapy except one died.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with Cushing's syndrome should be evaluated by endocrine test and followed up by imaging screen examination. The key points to increase treatment effect include early detection, localization and resection of primary tumors.
Gong
Daxin
D
Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
Li
Yuji
Y
Liu
Yili
Y
Xu
Shiguang
S
Guo
Kejian
K
Sun
Zhixi
Z
Kong
Chuize
C
D000182:ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003480:Cushing Syndrome; D006801:Humans
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone