title: CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF PATIENTS WITH ECTOPIC ACTH SYNDROME DUE TO BRONCHIAL CARCINOID TUMORS: A ONE-CENTER EXPERIENCE.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the diagnostic features and long-term outcome of patients with bronchial carcinoid tumors with ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome (EAS), treated in our department.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 10 cases with EAS and histologically confirmed bronchial carcinoid tumors, diagnosed from 1992 until 2006. Diagnosis was based upon blood, urine, radiologic, and interventional tests. Disease status at the time of the last follow-up was the primary outcome measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical manifestations included Cushingoid features (100%), psychiatric symptoms (90%), hypertension (70%), diabetes/impaired glucose tolerance (40%), osteoporosis (10%), and hypokalemia (10%). The average time from the onset of symptoms until diagnosis was 14.2 ± 17.0 months. None of the patients exhibited a positive cortisol or ACTH response to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) test, and none showed a positive gradient on bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS). All tumors were identified by computed tomography and by octreotide scintigraphy in 8 patients. All patients underwent surgical resection of the tumor, and 2 patients had adjuvant radiation therapy. The mean follow-up was 126.6 ± 63.3 months. At latest follow-up, 8 patients were in remission and 2 had recurrence of the EAS; both had a multifocal tumor. The 2 patients submitted to adjuvant radiation therapy were in remission at their latest follow-up, despite local invasion and lymph node metastases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CRH test and BIPSS are the most useful methods in diagnosing EAS. For localization, repeated imaging studies are necessary. Surgical treatment is effective in most cases. Adjunctive radiotherapy may be useful in patients with lymph node metastases. Patients with multifocal disease should be monitored for potential recurrence.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsirona
authors.forename: Marinella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tzanela
authors.forename: Efi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Botoula
authors.forename: Ion
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Belenis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rondogianni
authors.forename: Stylianos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsagarakis
mesh_terms: D000182:ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult