Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2007; 55(8): 527-529
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-965404
Case Reports

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

An Overlooked Tumor of the Lung in Cushing's Syndrome: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone-Secreting Carcinoid Tumor

M. Kara1 , I. Ucar2 , A. Yazicioglu1 , P. Firat3
  • 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
  • 2Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
  • 3Department of Pathology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Further Information

Publication History

Received November 29, 2006

Publication Date:
19 November 2007 (online)

Introduction

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing's syndrome may result from ectopic ACTH secretion in 15 - 20 % of patients [[1]]. Several diagnostic procedures including an endocrine workup and inferior petrosal sinus sampling to exclude a pituitary tumor are usually carried out to establish the origin of ectopic ACTH, however, the source of ectopic ACTH is not easily ascertained [[2]]. Moreover, many cases, ranging from 30 - 42 %, unnecessarily undergo either a hypophysectomy or an adrenalectomy [[3], [4], [5]].

We report here a case with Cushing's syndrome resulting from a pulmonary carcinoid tumor diagnosed 13 months following the onset of symptoms. Histological diagnosis revealed a typical carcinoid tumor with mediastinal lymph node involvement. We wish to emphasize this exceptional location of this carcinoid tumor, which may be overlooked unless suspected, and also the necessity of mediastinal lymph node dissection regardless of the nature of the tumor.

References

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 Mr.
Murat KaraAssociate Prof. 

Department of Thoracic Surgery
Hacettepe University
Faculty of Medicine

Sıhhiye

06100 Ankara

Turkey

Fax: + 90 31 23 11 17 73

Email: mkara@hacettepe.edu.tr