title: A case of isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency: a rare but possible cause of hypercalcemia.
abstract: A 52-year-old woman presented with an 8-month history of epigastric pain, nausea, and weight loss. One year before, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. During the postoperative chemotherapy, she developed epigastric pain and nausea. As a result, she gradually lost 12 kg of her body weight. We performed upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which revealed mild erosive gastritis. After the treatment with a proton pump inhibitor, her symptoms persisted. Before the admission, mild hypercalcemia was pointed out. Fluid replacement didn't improve hypercalcemia. We assessed adrenocortical function, which showed that her serum cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone were decreased. Through loading tests, we established diagnosis of isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency. She was treated with hydrocortisone. Soon after the treatment, her serum calcium level returned to normal and her symptoms improved. In a case of hypercalcemia unresponsive to fluid replacement, we recommend ruling out adrenal insufficiency after excluding more common diseases which induce hypercalcemia.
authors: Department of General Internal Medicine, St Luke's International Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Yumi
authors: Y
authors: Harano
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, St Luke's International Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Atsuko
authors: A
authors: Kitano
authors: Department of General Internal Medicine, St Luke's International Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Yurika
authors: Y
authors: Akiyama
authors: Department of General Internal Medicine, St Luke's International Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Kotajima
authors: Department of General Internal Medicine, St Luke's International Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Kazufumi
authors: K
authors: Honda
authors: Department of General Internal Medicine, St Luke's International Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Hiroko
authors: H
authors: Arioka
keywords: adrenocortical insufficiency; adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency; breast cancer; chemotherapy; hypercalcemia