Carcinoid tumor of the thymus associated with Cushing's syndrome and dysgeusia: case report and review of the literature.
A 30-year-old man was hospitalized with edema, polyuria, and abnormalities in taste. ACTH and cortisol levels at admission were markedly elevated, even after attempted suppression with 8 mg dexamethasone. A thoracic-abdominal CT revealed an anterior mediastinal lesion and hyperplasia of both adrenal glands. After excision of the mediastinal mass, which confirmed the presence of a carcinoid thymic tumor, the patient became totally asymptomatic, with normal ACTH and cortisol levels. A carcinoid thymic tumor has a poor prognosis, especially when it is associated with Cushing's syndrome. Most patients will present recidivism or metastasis within 5 years after surgery. However, the low number of cases available for analysis makes it difficult to establish optimum therapeutic approaches.
Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Passeig Marítim 25-29, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
Cristina
C
Claret
Juan J
JJ
Chillarón
Juana A
JA
Flores
David
D
Benaiges
Rafael
R
Aguiló
Mar
M
García
Guadalupe
G
Aguilar
Alberto
A
Goday
Juan F
JF
Cano-Pérez
D000328:Adult; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D004408:Dysgeusia / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome