Oat cell carcinoma, phaeochromocytoma and carcinoid tumours--multiple APUD cell neoplasia--a case report

A case of non-familial multiple APUD cell neoplasia is described in which an oat cell carcinoma occurred in association with a phaeochromocytoma and two gastric carcinoids. This is the first reported case in which an oat cell carcinoma has formed part of such a syndrome. The arguments for and against this being a chance association are briefly stated and it is suggested that this case provides some support for the view that oat cell carcinomas are themselves derived from APUD cells. The same patient had autoimmune disease, and although this may be purely fortuitous, a speculative hypothesis is advanced suggesting that the deranged anterior pituitary trophic function seen in Hashimoto's thyroiditis may have predisposed to multiple endocrine neoplasia in this case.