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Mizutani G, Isshiki M, Shimizu E, Saito D, Shimada A. Pheochromocytoma With High Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Production Capacity Without Pigmentation and Cushingoid Symptoms: A Case Report With a Literature Review. Cureus 2024; 16:e53358. [PMID: 38435205 PMCID: PMC10907887 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53358] [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: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma (PPGL) originating from chromaffin cells can produce diverse hormones in addition to catecholamines, including adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). In pheochromocytoma, high levels of ACTH might not result in pigmentation as typically observed in Addison's disease, and patients might not exhibit the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome, despite ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism. A 63-year-old male patient with hypertension was admitted to our facility, and computed tomography (CT) revealed a large right adrenal tumor. Despite high plasma ACTH (700-1300 pg/mL) and serum cortisol (90-100 µg/dL) levels, no physical pigmentation or Cushingoid symptoms were observed. Urinary metanephrine and normetanephrine levels reached as high as 16.0 mg and 3.2 mg, respectively. 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy was negative. Low-dose dexamethasone paradoxically increased ACTH and cortisol levels, indicating the potential positive feedback regulation of both hormones by glucocorticoids. The patient was diagnosed with an ACTH-producing pheochromocytoma and underwent successful laparoscopic surgery to remove the adrenal tumor under the intravenous administration of a high-dose α-blocker and hydrocortisone. The levels of ACTH, cortisol, and urinary metanephrine/normetanephrine returned close to normal after tumor removal. We report a rare case of pheochromocytoma with extremely high ACTH/cortisol production but without pigmentation or Cushingoid symptoms. We also reviewed previous reports of ACTH-producing PPGL regarding the paradoxical regulation of ACTH/cortisol by glucocorticoids, pigmentation, Cushingoid symptoms, and negativity of 123I-MIBG scintigraphy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen Mizutani
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, JPN
| | - Masashi Isshiki
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, JPN
| | - Eisuke Shimizu
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, JPN
| | - Daigo Saito
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, JPN
| | - Akira Shimada
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, JPN
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Saishouji F, Maeda S, Hamada H, Kimura N, Tamanoi A, Nishida S, Sakaguchi M, Igata M, Yokoo K, Kawakami F, Araki E, Kondo T. Ectopic ACTH-producing neuroendocrine tumor occurring with large recurrent metastatic pheochromocytoma: a case report. BMC Endocr Disord 2022; 22:184. [PMID: 35854271 PMCID: PMC9297627 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-022-01090-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ectopic ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome is rarely caused by pheochromocytoma (PCC). Glucocorticoid-regulated positive feedback loops in ACTH and catecholamines were proposed in some similar cases. CASE PRESENTATION We present here an 80-year-old man who had previously undergone surgery for a left adrenal PCC and newly developed severe hypertension, hypokalemia, and typical Cushingoid manifestations. Investigations revealed hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, and extremely high catecholamines and their metabolites, ACTH and cortisol. Imaging modalities showed a recurrent large left adrenal mass positively visualized with 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine as well as somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. Surgical interventions were not indicated; thus, metyrapone, phentolamine, and doxazocin were initiated, which successfully controlled his symptoms and biochemical conditions. With the evidence that metyrapone administration decreased ACTH and catecholamine levels, the existence of positive feedback loops was speculated. During the terminal stages of the disease, additional metyrosine treatment successfully stabilized his physiological and biochemical conditions. Upon the patient's death, pathological autopsy was performed. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the tumor appeared to be co-positive with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) as well as ACTH in most tumor cells in both PCC and liver metastasis. Most cells were clearly positive for somatostatin receptor 2 staining in the membrane compartment. The dense immunostaining of ACTH, TH, dopamine-β-hydroxylase and the large tumor size with positive feedback loops may be correlated with high levels of ACTH and catecholamines in the circulation. CONCLUSIONS We experienced a case of severe ectopic ACTH producing the largest reported recurrent malignant left PCC with liver metastases that presented positive feedback loops in the ACTH/cortisol and catecholamine/cortisol axes. Clinicians should be aware of the paradoxical response of ACTH on metyrapone treatment and possible steroid-induced catecholamine crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumi Saishouji
- Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Sarie Maeda
- Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hideaki Hamada
- Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Noriko Kimura
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Hakodate Hospital, 16-18 Kawahara, Hakodate, Hokkaido, 041-8512, Japan
| | - Ai Tamanoi
- Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Saiko Nishida
- Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Masaji Sakaguchi
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Igata
- Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Kiho Yokoo
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Fumi Kawakami
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Eiichi Araki
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kondo
- Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.
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Angelousi A, Peppa M, Chrisoulidou A, Alexandraki K, Berthon A, Faucz FR, Kassi E, Kaltsas G. Malignant Pheochromocytomas/Paragangliomas and Ectopic Hormonal Secretion: A Case Series and Review of the Literature. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E724. [PMID: 31137729 PMCID: PMC6563134 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant pheochromocytomas (PCs) and paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare neuroendocrine neoplasms defined by the presence of distant metastases. There is currently a relatively paucity of data regarding the natural history of PCs/PGLs and the optimal approach to their treatment. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, biochemical, imaging, genetic and histopathological characteristics of fourteen patients with metastatic PCs/PGLs diagnosed over 15 years, along with their response to treatment. Patients were followed-up for a median of six years (range: 1-14 years). Six patients had synchronous metastases and the remaining developed metastases after a median of four years (range 2-10 years). Genetic analysis of seven patients revealed that three harbored succinate dehydrogenase subunit B/D gene (SDHB/D) mutations. Hormonal hypersecretion occurred in 70% of patients; normetanephrine, either alone or with other concomitant hormones, was the most frequent secretory component. Patients were administered multiple first and subsequent treatments including surgery (n = 12), chemotherapy (n = 7), radionuclide therapy (n = 2) and radiopeptides (n = 5). Seven patients had stable disease, four had progressive disease and three died. Ectopic hormonal secretion is rare and commonly encountered in benign PCs. Ectopic secretion of interleukin-6 in one of our patients, prompted a literature review of ectopic hormonal secretion, particularly from metastatic PCs/PGLs. Only four cases of metastatic PC/PGLs with confirmed ectopic secretion of hormones or peptides have been described so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Angelousi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko hospital, 11527 Goudi, Greece.
| | - Melpomeni Peppa
- Endocrine Unit, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine Propaedeutic, Research Institute and Diabetes Center, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, 12462 Haidari, Greece.
| | - Alexandra Chrisoulidou
- Unit of Endocrinology, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, 2 Al Simeonidi Str., 54007 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Krystallenia Alexandraki
- st Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko hospital, 11527 Goudi, Athens, Greece.
| | - Annabel Berthon
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Fabio Rueda Faucz
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Eva Kassi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko hospital, 11527 Goudi, Greece.
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Goudi, Athens, Greece.
| | - Gregory Kaltsas
- st Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko hospital, 11527 Goudi, Athens, Greece.
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