ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome due to a carcinoid tumour Cushing’s

Czech version

Authors: M. Dušková ¹; K. Šimůnková ¹; L. Stárka ¹; M. Kršek ²
Authors‘ workplace: Endokrinologický ústav Praha Ředitel: doc. MUDr. Vojtěch Hainer, CSc. ¹; 3. interní klinika VFN a 1. LF UK Praha Přednosta: prof. MUDr. Štěpán Svačina, DrSc., MBA ²
Published in: Prakt. Lék. 2007; 87(3): 172-174
Category: Case Report

Overview

Cushing’s syndrome is caused by autonomous cortisol secretion. One underlying cause of cortisol overproduction could be adrenal gland ACTH (ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome). The pituitary gland or an ectopic source could be the origin of autonomous ACTH production. Various tumours can serve as ectopic sources of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) production, i.e. small cell bronchogenic carcinoma, thymoma, or less commonly tumours of the pancreas, medullary thyroid carcinoma, carcinoid, hematologic malignancies, breast cancer, prostate cancer, liver carcinoma, melanoma, plasmocytoma and some others. Ectopic Cushing’s syndrome occurs in about 5-10% of all patients with ACTH- dependent hypercortisolism In a 25-year old female, with a two year history of weight gain, the development of purple striae, muscle weakness and menstrual irregularity (secondary amenorrhoea), the cause of Cushing’s syndrome was found to be a bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumour.

Key words:
carcinoid tumour, Cushing’s syndrome, ACTH hypersecretion, amenorrhea, striae.