Ectopic ACTH-MSH producing carcinoid tumor with multiple endocrine hyperplasia in a child

An autopsy case of a 9-year-old Japanese girl revealed a carcinoid tumor originating in the duodenum and hyperplasia of the multiple endocrine organs as manifested by ectopic ACTH syndrome, carcinoid syndrome and giantism. The tumor cells were positive for histochemical argyrophile reaction and two types of secretory granules were identified by electron microscopy. Biochemical assay revealed the production of ACTH and beta-MSH by the tumor cells. Other changes of multiple endocrine organs included acidophil dominant hyperplasia of the pituitary, diffuse hyperplasia of the thyroid, chief cell hyperplasia of the parathyroid, hyperplasia of the islets of Langerhans and the adrenal cortex. This case was considered to be a type of multiple endocrine adenomatosis including carcinoid tumor. The relationship between the carcinoid tumor and multiple endocrine adenomatosis was discussed.