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Herrera-Martínez AD, Román ÁR, Corrales EP, Idrobo C, Ramírez PP, Rojas PM, Lázaro CR, Araujo-Castro M. Adrenal incidentalomas, cortisol secretion and cancer: is there a real crosstalk? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1335202. [PMID: 38264281 PMCID: PMC10804881 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1335202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cortisol has immunomodulatory effects that increase the risk and evolution of several diseases. Cancer is characterized by a proinflammatory state in which cells exert impaired function and proliferation. The relation between cortisol secretion and increased risk of malignant neoplasm, or their behavior, has not been fully elucidated. Aim To determine the relation between cortisol secretion and the prevalence and clinical outcome of malignant neoplasms in patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AIs). Methods Multicenter retrospective study that included 935 patients with AIs. Cortisol secretion was defined by a cortisol post-dexamethasone suppression test > 1.8 µg/dL, and nonfunctioning AIs (NFAIs) as a value ≤ 1.8 µg/dL. Results Cortisol secretion was evident in 30.8% of the patients and cancer in 23.6% (especially breast, colorectal, prostate and thyroid cancer). No differences in the cancer prevalence were found between patients with cortisol secretion and NFAIs (63.6% vs. 63.4%, p=0.10). After adjusting by age, cortisol secretion was not associated with the presence of cancer (OR 1.29, CI 0.93-1.78). However, cortisol secretion was significantly associated with stage IV of cancer at diagnosis (OR 2.68, CI 1.19- 6.00) and mortality (OR 3.2, CI 1.28- 7.97). Patients with NFAI and breast cancer required treatment with chemo- and radio-therapy more frequently that patients with cortisol secreting AI (90% vs 10% and 92.9% vs 7.1% respectively, p<0.05), similarly patients with prostate cancer required radiotherapy more frequently (90.9% vs 9.1%, p=0.05); also, patients with colorectal cancer and NFAI, tended to require chemotherapy more frequently(76.5% vs 23.5%, p=0.06). Conclusion Cortisol secretion does not increase the risk of malignant neoplasm, but it affects its clinical course, treatment requirements and mortality, leading to a worst prognosis and higher mortality when compared with patients with NFAIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aura D. Herrera-Martínez
- Endocrinology & Nutrition Department, Hospital Reina Sofia, Córdoba, Spain
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ángel Rebollo Román
- Endocrinology & Nutrition Department, Hospital Reina Sofia, Córdoba, Spain
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Eider Pascual Corrales
- Endocrinology & Nutrition Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cindy Idrobo
- Endocrinology & Nutrition Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Marta Araujo-Castro
- Endocrinology & Nutrition Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
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Aladwani MM, Alrubaiaan MT, Alrayani YH, Alabdali TN. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone-Dependent Cushing's Syndrome Complicated With Gastric Ulcer Perforation in a 30-Year-Old Saudi Female: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature. Cureus 2023; 15:e48089. [PMID: 38046760 PMCID: PMC10690111 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal perforation is a well-addressed complication of exogenous hypercortisolism; however, patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS) do not usually experience this condition in clinical practice. The literature on this subject is limited and consists solely of clinical case reports/series with only 23 instances of gastrointestinal perforation occurring in individuals with endogenous Cushing's syndrome. This is mainly attributed to the rarity of Cushing's syndrome itself and the low chance of occurrence of such complications. We report a case of a recently diagnosed adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing's syndrome in a 30-years-old female who presented initially with a three-month history of progressive weight gain, generalized weakness, acne, menstrual irregularity, and severe hypokalemia, and then developed a gastric ulcer perforation only one month after her ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome diagnosis and was managed through emergent surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mishari T Alrubaiaan
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Yazeed H Alrayani
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Tareq N Alabdali
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, SAU
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Ishinoda Y, Uto A, Meshino H, Kobayashi A, Okazaki M, Asada H, Wakamatsu S, Tsuda H, Yamada Y, Kasuga A, Oshima N. Bowel perforation associated with Cushing's disease: a case report with literature review. Endocr J 2023; 70:933-939. [PMID: 37380447 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.ej23-0110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Although rare, endogenous hypercortisolemia, including Cushing's disease (CD), is known to cause bowel perforation and to mask typical symptoms of bowel perforation, leading to delayed diagnosis. Additionally, elderly patients with CD are considered to be at a higher risk for bowel perforation because intestinal tissue fragility tends to increase in the elderly. Herein, we describe a rare case in which a young adult patient with CD was diagnosed with bowel perforation associated with CD following severe abdominal pain. A 24-year-old Japanese man was admitted to the hospital for the evaluation of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome. He suddenly complained of severe abdominal pain on the 8th day of hospitalization. Computed tomography revealed free air around the sigmoid colon. The patient was diagnosed with bowel perforation, underwent emergency surgery, and was saved. He was subsequently diagnosed with CD, and the pituitary adenoma was resected transsphenoidally. To date, eight cases of bowel perforation due to CD had been reported, with a median age of 61 years at the time of bowel perforation. Hypokalemia was detected in half of the patients, and all had a history of diverticular disease. Nevertheless, not many patients complained of peritoneal irritation. In conclusion, this is the youngest reported case with bowel perforation due to CD and the first report of bowel perforation in a patient without a history of diverticular disease. Bowel perforation may occur in patients with CD, irrespective of age and the presence of hypokalemia, diverticular disease, or peritoneal irritation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Ishinoda
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama 359-8513, Japan
| | - Asuka Uto
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama 359-8513, Japan
| | - Hitomi Meshino
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama 359-8513, Japan
| | - Ai Kobayashi
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama 359-8513, Japan
| | - Maki Okazaki
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama 359-8513, Japan
| | - Hidetomo Asada
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama 359-8513, Japan
| | - Seina Wakamatsu
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama 359-8513, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Tsuda
- Department of Basic Pathology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama 359-8513, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Yamada
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama 359-8513, Japan
| | - Akira Kasuga
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama 359-8513, Japan
| | - Naoki Oshima
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama 359-8513, Japan
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Koehler VF, Fuss CT, Berr CM, Frank-Raue K, Raue F, Hoster E, Hepprich M, Christ E, Pusl T, Reincke M, Spitzweg C, Kroiss M. Medullary thyroid cancer with ectopic Cushing's syndrome: A multicentre case series. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2022; 96:847-856. [PMID: 34743368 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ectopic Cushing's syndrome (ECS) induced by medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is rare, and data on clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome are limited. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study in three German and one Swiss referral centres. PATIENTS Eleven patients with MTC and occurrence of ECS and 22 matched MTC patients without ECS were included. MEASUREMENTS The primary endpoint of this study was the overall survival (OS) in MTC patients with ECS versus 1:2 matched MTC patients without ECS. RESULTS The median age at diagnosis of ECS was 59 years (range: 35-81) and the median time between initial diagnosis of MTC and diagnosis of ECS was 29 months (range: 0-193). Median serum morning cortisol was 49 µg/dl (range: 17-141, normal range: 6.2-18). Eight (73%) patients received treatment for ECS. Treatment of ECS consisted of bilateral adrenalectomy (BADX) in four (36%) patients and adrenostatic treatment in eight (73%) patients. One patient received treatment with multityrosine kinase inhibitor (MKI) to control hypercortisolism. All patients experienced complete resolution of symptoms of Cushing's syndrome and biochemical control of hypercortisolism. Patients with ECS showed a shorter median OS of 87 months (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 64-111) than matched controls (190 months, 95% CI: 95-285). Of the nine deaths, four were related to progressive disease (PD). Four patients showed PD as well as complications and comorbidities of hypercortisolism before death. CONCLUSION This study shows that ECS occurs in advanced stage MTC and is associated with a poor prognosis. Adrenostatic treatment and BADX were effective systemic treatment options in patients with MTC and ECS to control their hypercortisolism. MKI treatment achieved complete remission of hypercortisolism and sustained tumour control in one treated case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria F Koehler
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, LMU Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
- Department of Medicine I, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Carmina T Fuss
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology/Diabetology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christina M Berr
- Department of Endocrinology I, Medical Clinic, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Karin Frank-Raue
- Private Practice of Endocrinology and Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Friedhelm Raue
- Private Practice of Endocrinology and Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eva Hoster
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Hepprich
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Emanuel Christ
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Pusl
- Department of Endocrinology I, Medical Clinic, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Martin Reincke
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, LMU Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Spitzweg
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, LMU Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition, Adjunct Academic Appointment, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Matthias Kroiss
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, LMU Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology/Diabetology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Forde HE, Mehigan-Farrelly N, Ryan K, Moran T, Greally M, Duffy AG, Byrne MM. Metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma presenting as ectopic Cushing's syndrome. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep 2021; 2021:EDM200207. [PMID: 33899746 PMCID: PMC8115413 DOI: 10.1530/edm-20-0207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY A 41-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department with a 6-month history of back and hip pain. Skeletal survey revealed bilateral pubic rami fractures and MRI of the spine demonstrated multiple thoracic and lumbar fractures. Secondary work up for osteoporosis was undertaken. There was no evidence of hyperparathyroidism and the patient was vitamin D replete. Testosterone (T) was low at 1.7 nmol/L (8.6-29.0) and gonadotrophins were undetectable. The patient failed a 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) with a morning cortisol of 570 nmol/L (<50) and subsequently a low dose DST with a cortisol post 48 h of dexamethasone of 773 nmol/L (<50) and an elevated ACTH 98 ng/L. A corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) test suggested ectopic ACTH secretion. The patient was commenced on teriparatide for osteoporosis and metyrapone to control the hypercortisolaemia. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan to look for the source of ACTH secretion demonstrated right neck adenopathy. Biopsy and subsequent lymph node dissection were performed and histology revealed a metastatic neuroendocrine tumour. Immunostaining was positive for calcitonin and thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1). Serum calcitonin was also significantly elevated at 45 264 ng/L (<10). The patient proceeded to a total thyroidectomy and left neck dissection. Histology confirmed a 7 mm medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Post-operatively, the patient commenced vandetanib therapy and achieved a clinical and biochemical response. After approximately 18 months of vandetanib therapy, the patient developed recurrent disease in his neck. He is currently on LOXO-292 and is doing well 36 months post-diagnosis. LEARNING POINTS Unexplained osteoporosis requires thorough investigation and the workup for secondary causes is not complete without excluding glucocorticoid excess. MTC should be considered when searching for sources of ectopic ACTH secretion. Resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors is well described with MTC and clinicians should have a low threshold for screening for recurrent disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Forde
- Department of Endocrinology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Katie Ryan
- Department of Pathology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tom Moran
- Department of Otolaryngology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Megan Greally
- Department of Oncology, Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, Leinster, Ireland
| | - Austin G Duffy
- Department of Oncology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maria M Byrne
- Department of Endocrinology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Lase I, Strele I, Grönberg M, Kozlovacki G, Welin S, Janson ET. Multiple hormone secretion may indicate worse prognosis in patients with ectopic Cushing's syndrome. Hormones (Athens) 2020; 19:351-360. [PMID: 31950464 PMCID: PMC7426294 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-019-00163-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ectopic Cushing's syndrome (ECS) caused by an ACTH secreting neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) is a rare and challenging condition. We aimed to detect predictive and prognostic parameters for ECS patients identified from a retrospective, comprehensive cohort of NENs treated at a tertiary referral center. METHODS Medical records of 886 patients with NENs were reviewed. We identified 51 patients with ECS (33 females/18 men); mean age 52 ± 15 years (SD). Clinical parameters including symptoms, biochemical markers, and survival were extracted and further analyzed. RESULTS The primary tumor was located in the thorax (n = 28) or pancreas (n = 15) or was of unknown primary origin (n = 8). In 30 patients, tumor and ECS were diagnosed simultaneously. In 12 patients, the NEN diagnosis preceded ECS development, with a median time of 43.5 months (range: 9-96), and 10 of these showed radiological tumor progression at ECS diagnosis. Twenty-one patients had multiple hormone secretion, which correlated with shorter overall survival (OS), p = 0.012 (HR 2.4 (95% CI 1.2-4.9)), as did high morning cortisol, p = 0.037 (HR 2.3 (1.0-5.2)), higher tumor grade, p = 0.044 (HR 2.3 (1.0-5.1)), and diabetes, p = 0.050 (HR 2.4 (1.0-6.0)). CONCLUSIONS Multiple hormone secretion, high morning cortisol, higher tumor grade, and diabetes were correlated with shorter OS. Development of ECS in patients with a non-functioning NEN may indicate tumor progression. Multiple hormone secretion should be considered as a bad prognostic sign in ECS patients and should lead to intensified clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ieva Lase
- Department of Medical Sciences, Endocrine Oncology Unit, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Ieva Strele
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Riga Stradins University, Dzirciema street 16, Riga, LV-1007, Latvia
| | - Malin Grönberg
- Department of Medical Sciences, Endocrine Oncology Unit, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gordana Kozlovacki
- Department of Medical Sciences, Endocrine Oncology Unit, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Staffan Welin
- Department of Medical Sciences, Endocrine Oncology Unit, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eva Tiensuu Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Endocrine Oncology Unit, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
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Sporadic Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma with Paraneoplastic Cushing Syndrome. Case Rep Endocrinol 2019; 2019:6414921. [PMID: 31885947 PMCID: PMC6925804 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6414921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare form of neoplasm affecting the thyroid gland. This neuroendocrine tumor is capable of releasing active substances causing systemic manifestation in the form of flushing, diarrhea, and uncommonly, Ectopic Cushing’s syndrome (ECS). MTC can be hereditary as a part of multiple endocrine neoplasm type 2 syndrome (MEN2) or arise sporadically. We report a case of a 74-year-old female presenting with chronic diarrhea, in whom diagnosis of sporadic MTC was delayed due to previous history of gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances. The patient developed liver metastases yielding ACTH dependent Cushing’s Syndrome leading to abnormal clinical presentation and laboratory values driven by elevated cortisol level. Metastatic MTC should be considered in patients presenting with chronic diarrhea and weakness unexplained by other GI related causes.
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Intestinal Perforation in ACTH-Dependent Cushing's Syndrome. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:9721781. [PMID: 31001560 PMCID: PMC6436364 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9721781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have linked systemic glucocorticoid use with intestinal perforation. However, the association between intestinal perforation and endogenous hypercortisolism has not been well described, with only 14 previously published case reports. In this study, we investigated if intestinal perforation occurred more frequently in patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome and in those with a greater than 10-fold elevation of 24-hour urinary free cortisol level. Of 110 patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome followed in two clinics in Canada, six cases with intestinal perforation were identified over 15 years. Age of patients ranged from 52 to 72, five females and one male, four with Cushing's disease and two with ectopic ACTH production, one from a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and one from medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Five had diverticular perforation and one had intestinal perforation from a stercoral ulcer. All cases had their lower intestinal perforation when the cortisol production was high, and one patient had diverticular perforation 15 months prior to the diagnosis of Cushing's disease. As in previously reported cases, most had hypokalemia and abdominal pain with minimal or no peritoneal symptoms and this occurred during the active phase of Cushing's syndrome. Whereas all previously reported cases occurred in patients with 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels greater than 10-fold the upper limit of normal when measured and 11 of 14 patients had ectopic ACTH production, only one of our patients had this degree of hypercortisolism and four of our six patients had Cushing's disease. Similar to exogenous steroid use, patients with endogenous hypercortisolism also have a higher risk of intestinal, in particular diverticular, perforation and should be monitored closely for its occurrence with a low threshold for investigation and surgical intervention. Elective colonoscopy probably should be deferred until Cushing's syndrome is under control.
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