Primary aldosteronism by carcinoma of the adrenal cortex

A 58-year-old white woman with hypertension and severe hypokalemia was found to have a carcinoma of the left adrenal gland. Plasma renin activity was constantly under the normal limit, while plasma aldosterone levels were pathologically elevated. Plasma cortisol (8:00 a.m.) and excretion rates of urinary free cortisol were within the normal range. After an adrenalectomy, relapsing excessive aldosterone secretion was successfully treated with opDDD (Lysodrene). Ten months after the diagnosis was established, the patient died from a bleeding liver metastasis.