[Adrenocortical carcinoma with feminization: "in vivo" and "in vitro" study (author's transl)]

A 31 year-old man with adrenocortical carcinoma is presented. Clinically he had a recidiving gynecomastia. The levels ddhydro-épi-androstérone (D.H.E.A.) and his ester Sulfate (D.H.E.A.S.), delta-4-androsténédione (A), estrone (Et), estradiol (E2) in urines, serum and tumor were very high. The cortisol production rate was in normal values. The serum levels or cortisol, D.H.E.A., D.H.E.A.S. and A were not increased by A.C.T.H. injection. In vitro, steroidogenesis in the tumor cells was not influenced by A.C.T.H. or prostaglandin E1, but stimulated by dibutyryl cyclic 3'5' adenosine monophosphate. Unresponsiveness of A.C.T.H. was related to an alteration of cells membranes receptors.