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Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Ectopic Cushing and other paraneoplastic syndromes in thoracic neuroendocrine tumors
Diego Ferone1, Manuela Albertelli1
1Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, University of Genoa, viale Benedetto XV, Genoa 16132, Italy.
Abstract:
Overproduction of corticotropin by the pituitary gland or extrapituitary tumors leads to hypercortisolism or Cushing syndrome. Diagnosis of suspected Cushing syndrome involves 3 major steps: confirmation of hypercortisolism, differentiation between corticotropin-independent and corticotropin-dependent causes of Cushing syndrome, and distinction between pituitary and ectopic corticotropin production. A definitive diagnosis of ectopic corticotropin secretion requires stringent criteria, including reversal of the clinical picture after resection of the tumor and/or demonstration of corticotropin immunohistochemical staining within the tumor tissue.
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