Medical Encyclopedia: Ectopic Cushing’s syndrome (Print Version)

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Medical Encyclopedia: Ectopic Cushing’s syndrome

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000406.htm

Alternative names

Cushing's syndrome - ectopic

Definition

Ectopic Cushing's syndrome is a condition caused by an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting tumor outside the pituitary or adrenal glands.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Cushing's syndrome is due to excess glucocorticoid hormones being secreted over a long period of time. About 15% of cases of Cushing's syndrome are due to ectopic Cushing's syndrome.

Ectopic Cushing's syndrome is caused by tumors that secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Other causes of Cushing's syndrome are oversecretion of ACTH by the pituitary gland, a tumor of the adrenal gland, or long-term administration of corticosteroid drugs commonly used to treat conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.

Small cell tumors of the lung, tumors of the thymus gland, islet cell tumors of the pancreas, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, and pheochromocytoma are tumors that can secrete ACTH, although this occurs rarely.

Symptoms

Ectopic Cushing's syndrome tends to present with less dramatic classic Cushing's syndrome features, but more dramatic high blood pressure and low potassium. There may be weight loss due to the underlying cancer.

Classic features of Cushing's syndrome:

moon face (round, red, and full)
"buffalo hump" -- collection of fat between the shoulders
central obesity -- protruding abdomen and thin extremities
weakness
headache
acne or superficial skin infections
thirst
increased urination
purple striations on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, and breasts
mental changes
impotence or cessation of menses (loss of menstrual periods)

Signs and tests

Tests are done to confirm hypercortisolism, then further tests are done to determine the cause.

Tests that confirm hypercortisolism:

a 24-hour urine for cortisol and creatinine
a dexamethasone suppression test
serial serum cortisol levels -- do not show diurnal variations

Test that determines cause:

serum ACTH, elevated

Further signs:

fasting glucose, elevated
serum potassium, low

Treatment

The best treatment for ectopic Cushing's syndrome is surgical removal of the tumor. This is usually possible when the tumor is benign (noncancerous).

Many tumors are malignant (growing worse and resisting treatment), however, and have metastasized (spread to other areas) before cortisol excess has been diagnosed, and surgical removal is not possible. In these situations, drugs to suppress cortisol secretion may be given. They include: ketoconazole, aminoglutethimide, and metyrapone.

Expectations (prognosis)

Surgical removal of the tumor may lead to full recovery, but there is a chance of the tumor coming back. Survival for people with ectopic tumors depends upon the outcome associated with the particular tumor type.

Complications

the tumor may spread
excess cortisol may continue

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if symptoms of Cushing's syndrome appear.

Prevention

Prompt treatment of tumors may reduce the risk in some cases. Many cases are not preventable.

Update Date: 1/27/2004

Updated by: Todd T. Brown, M.D., Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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