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Virilizing adrenal cortical neoplasm arising ectopically in the thorax
L J Medeiros1, J Anasti, K L Gardner
1Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|December 1, 1992
Summary
A rare adrenal cortical neoplasm in the thorax caused virilization in a woman. Surgical removal normalized testosterone levels, highlighting the importance of thoracic imaging for unexplained androgen excess.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Virilization in women can stem from androgen-producing tumors.
- Ectopic adrenal tissue is a rare cause of hormone overproduction.
Observation:
- A 44-year-old woman presented with a 12-year history of virilization and elevated serum testosterone.
- Initial evaluations and surgeries failed to identify the androgen source.
- An intrathoracic mass was detected incidentally on abdominal CT scans.
Findings:
- A 6 cm mass attached to the pericardium was surgically removed.
- Pathology revealed an adrenal cortical neoplasm with testosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, progesterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone.
- Post-surgery, serum testosterone levels normalized.
Implications:
- This case highlights an extremely rare instance of an ectopic adrenal cortical neoplasm causing virilization.
- Thoracic imaging is crucial for diagnosing androgen excess when abdominal/pelvic studies are negative.
- Further research into ectopic adrenal tissue and neoplasms is warranted.