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Guerrero-Pérez F, Peiró I, Marengo AP, Teulé A, Ruffinelli JC, Llatjos R, Serrano T, Macia I, Vilarrasa N, Iglesias P, Villabona C. Ectopic Cushing's syndrome due to thymic neuroendocrine tumours: a systematic review. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2021; 22:1041-1056. [PMID: 33961211 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-021-09660-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge of ectopic Cushing's syndrome (CS) due to thymic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) comes from short series or single cases. Our aim is to perform a systematic review using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Ovid Medline and Biosis Previews of all cases with ectopic CS due to thymic NETs reported in the last 40 years and describe one illustrative patient attended in our institution. Search of literature: From 162 patients, 58.6% were male and mean age was 34.6 ± 13.9 years-old. Median of symptoms until diagnosis was 6 [2-24] months and 62% had aggressive CS. Imaging was positive in 93.7% (chest X-ray), 97.8% (computed tomography), 80.7% (somatostatin receptor scintigraphy) and median tumour size was 47 [25-68.5] mm. At presentation, 18% had localized disease, 26.2% locally invasive and 55.7% advanced. Eighty-eight present underwent surgery and histological subtypes were atypical (46.7%), typical (30.4%) and carcinoma (21.7%). Tumour persisted or recurred in 70.1%, 63% received radiotherapy and 45.2% chemotherapy. Follow-up median was 26.6 [14.5-57.5] months and mortality was reported in 35.8% with median survival of 38 [19-60] months. MEN-1 mutation was referred in 3.1%. Comparatively, carcinomas had aggressive CS more frequently while atypical showed advanced disease more often. In conclusion, thymic NETs causing ectopic CS are presented as aggressive hypercortisolism in the middle aged population. The disease is commonly extended at diagnosis and persists or recurs after surgery in most patients with a short term high mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Guerrero-Pérez
- Department of Endocrinology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Biomedical Research Institute of Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Inmaculada Peiró
- Clinical Nutrition Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Unit of Nutrition and Cancer-IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Agustina Pia Marengo
- Department of Endocrinology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Biomedical Research Institute of Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alex Teulé
- Department of Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Carlos Ruffinelli
- Department of Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roger Llatjos
- Department of Pathology, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Serrano
- Department of Pathology, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ivan Macia
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Unit of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Vilarrasa
- Department of Endocrinology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Biomedical Research Institute of Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Iglesias
- Department of Endocrinology, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carles Villabona
- Department of Endocrinology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Biomedical Research Institute of Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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Giovanelli L, Aresta C, Favero V, Bonomi M, Cangiano B, Eller-Vainicher C, Grassi G, Morelli V, Pugliese F, Falchetti A, Gennari L, Scillitani A, Persani L, Chiodini I. Hidden hypercortisolism: a too frequently neglected clinical condition. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:1581-1596. [PMID: 33394454 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-020-01484-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Classic Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a severe disease characterized by central obesity, hypertension, easy bruising, striae rubrae, buffalo hump, proximal myopathy and hypertricosis. However, several CS cases have also been reported with unusual or camouflaged manifestations. In recent years, several authors investigated the prevalence of "hidden hypercortisolism" (HidHyCo) among subjects affected with bone fragility, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). The prevalence of the HidHyCo is estimated to be much higher than that of classic CS. However, similarly to classic CS, HidHyCo is known to increase the risk of fractures, cardiovascular disease and mortality. METHODS We reviewed all published cases of unusual presentations of hypercortisolism and studies specifically assessing the HidHyCo prevalence in diabetic, osteoporotic and hypertensive patients. RESULTS We found 49 HidHyCo cases, in whom bone fragility, hypertension and diabetes were the presenting manifestations of an otherwise silent hypercortisolism. Amongst these cases, 34.7%, 32.7%, 6.1% and 19.0%, respectively, had bone fragility, hypertension, DM2 or hypertension plus DM2 as the sole clinical manifestations of HidHyCo. Overall, 25% of HidHyCo cases were of pituitary origin, and bone fragility was the very prevalent first manifestation among them. In population studies, it is possible to estimate that 1-4% of patients with apparent primary osteoporosis has a HidHyCo and the prevalence of this condition among diabetics ranges between 3.4 and 10%. CONCLUSION These data indicate that patients with resistant or suddenly worsening hypertension or DM2 or unexplainable bone fragility should be screened for HidHyCo using the most recently approved sensitive cut-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Giovanelli
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - C Aresta
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - V Favero
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - M Bonomi
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - B Cangiano
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - C Eller-Vainicher
- Unit of Endocrinology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - G Grassi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - V Morelli
- Unit of Endocrinology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - F Pugliese
- Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetology "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" Hospital, IRCCS, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - A Falchetti
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy
| | - L Gennari
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - A Scillitani
- Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetology "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" Hospital, IRCCS, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - L Persani
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - I Chiodini
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Walts AE, Frye J, Engman DM, Marchevsky AM. Carcinoid tumors of the thymus and Cushing's syndrome: Clinicopathologic features and current best evidence regarding the cell of origin of these unusual neoplasms. Ann Diagn Pathol 2018; 38:71-79. [PMID: 30502716 DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
It is uncertain whether thymic neuroendocrine tumors (NET) associated with Cushing's syndrome (CS) produce corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) and whether the thymus contains ACTH and/or CRH cells that could originate NET. The clinicopathologic features of 5 typical (TC) and 6 atypical carcinoids (ATC), 10 additional non-neoplastic thymi, 6 adrenal glands with bilateral nodular hyperplasia and 8 adrenal cortical adenomas were reviewed. Representative slides were immunostained for ACTH and CRH. Four (36.4%) of the 11 patients had CS. The incidence of Masaoka stage IV was higher (p < 0.0001) in patients with ATC than TC. Only 2 (18.1%) of the 11 patients were alive at follow-up. Ten NET were CRH immunoreactive and 6 were ACTH immunoreactive. Thymic NET with CS exhibited stronger immunoreactivity for ACTH and CRH than those without CS. Non-neoplastic thymi exhibited scattered ACTH and CRH immunoreactive cells. Normal adrenal cortex and glands with bilateral nodular hyperplasia showed diffuse CRH immunoreactivity while adrenal adenomas showed no or only focal CRH immunoreactivity. Literature review showed no association between thymic NET and adrenal adenomas. The thymus contains CRH and ACTH immunoreactive cells that are probably the origin of thymic NET. Neoplasms associated with CS exhibit strong immunoreactivity for both hormones, suggesting that CRH probably plays a role in the pathogenesis of CS. As adrenals with bilateral nodular hyperplasia exhibit diffuse CRH immunoreactivity and adrenal cortical adenomas either lack this finding or show few immunoreactive cells, this marker may be useful to distinguish these lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann E Walts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.
| | - Joseph Frye
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - David M Engman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Alberto M Marchevsky
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
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