Cushing’S Syndrome, Due to Ectopic Acth-Secretion, Successfully Treated with Aminoglutethimide, Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy

Summary

Paraneoplastic secretion of hormones can change the metabolic condition of a tumorpatient.

The often limited endocrine activity of the ACTH-like peptides and the short survival of the patient prevent usually the full clinical expression of the hormonal secretion.

The authors describe a case of a bronchial carcinoma of the oat-cell type with ectopic secretion of ACTH causing all clinical manifestations of a Cushing’s syndrome. This endocrine condition was successfully treated with a combination of radiotherapy and aminoglutethimide. A review of the literature shows the importance of hormonal screening in patients with tumors of the lung and other tissues. The use of aminoglutethimide for adrenal suppression is discussed.