[Inappropriate secretion of ACTH in cases of bronchial carcinoma]

In the light of seven cases of adrenal hypercorticalism associated with tumoral secretion of ACTH, the syndrome of inappropriate ACTH secretion is reviewed. This entity, which is related primarily to anaplastic bronchial carcinoma is characterized by paucity of clinical signs of hypercorticalism, rapidity of evolution and typical biological modifications. Other important criteria are hypokalemic alkalosis, high plasma levels of ACTH and 17-OHCS and failure of dexamethasome to suppress endogenous steroid secretion. However, the diagnosis can be proven only by extraction of a significant quantity of tumoral ACTH.