[Cushing's syndrome resulting from ectopic hormonal secretion]

A case of a 29 year old man with typical picture of Cushing's syndrome is presented: pronounced hypodynamics, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, transitory psychic disorders, severe hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, hypercorticism, disturbed 24 h rhythm of cortisol secretion, high serum ACTH level. The treatment with steroidogenesis blockers (Metyrapone, o,p'DDD) led to a limited improvement. The well expressed organic changes in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and pulmonary thromboembolism led to a fatal outcome. The post mortem examination revealed a pancreatic tumor 30/30 mm in size (histologically carcinoid) and enlarged hypophyseal gland with oxyphil cell hyperplasia. The electron microscopic examination found secretory granules in the pancreatic tumor cells. Concurrent ectopic secretion of ACTH by the oxyphil tumor cells is discussed.