A case of recurrent non-small-cell lung carcinoma and paraneoplastic Cushing's syndrome.
Secretion of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) with consequently Cushing's syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic phenomenon. It has been described in a variety of malignancies, like bronchial carcinoids, small-cell lung carcinoma, thymoma, pancreatic carcinoma and other. In many cases of suspected ectopic ACTH secretion, it is difficult to histologically or cytochemically confirm the diagnosis. We present a 63-year-old woman with a recurrent poorly differentiated squamous cell lung carcinoma with clinical and biochemical features consistent with ectopic Cushing's syndrome. Immunocytochemical staining confirmed the secretion of ACTH by tumour cells.
Noorlander
I
I
Sint Franciscus Gasthuis, Department of Respiratory Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Elte
J W
JW
Manintveld
O C
OC
Tournoy
K G
KG
Praet
M M
MM
van Meerbeeck
J P
JP
Aerts
J G
JG
D000182:ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic / Q000209:etiology*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000150:complications*; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone