Some aldosterone-producing adrenal tumours also secrete cortisol, but present clinically as primary aldosteronism

1. Two patients with angiotensin-responsive aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and one with adrenal cortical carcinoma demonstrated autonomous secretion of cortisol as well as of aldosterone. 2. The response of cortisol and of aldosterone to ACTH did not differentiate between the two APA which secreted cortisol and the eight which demonstrated normal suppression with dexamethasone. 3. Concurrent autonomous secretion of cortisol as well as aldosterone may occur in patients who present clinically with primary aldosteronism. 4. Biochemical distinctions between adenomas may reflect differences in their cellular composition.