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Pulmonary tumorlets associated with Cushing's syndrome
The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|April 1, 1978
Summary
Lung tumorlets, typically benign, can present as metastatic nodules in patients with Cushing's syndrome. These tumorlets may arise from Kulchitsky cells and exhibit peptide-producing potential, impacting diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Pathology
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- Lung tumorlets are generally considered benign cellular nests often associated with bronchiectasis or fibrosis.
- The origin and potential malignant behavior of lung tumorlets remain areas of ongoing research.
Observation:
- A patient with Cushing's syndrome presented with radiographically evident, widespread lung tumorlets and mediastinal metastasis.
- Elevated plasma corticotropin and tumor tissue corticotropin-like peptides were observed in the patient.
Findings:
- This case suggests that some lung tumorlets may originate from bronchial Kulchitsky cells, similar to carcinoid tumors.
- These tumorlets demonstrate peptide-producing capabilities, mirroring carcinoid tumor characteristics.
Implications:
- The findings support the concept of a spectrum of neuroendocrine tumors arising from bronchial Kulchitsky cells.
- Clinicians should consider the possibility of aggressive, peptide-producing tumorlets in Cushing's syndrome patients, even without initial radiographic abnormalities.