Download PDF
Horm Metab Res 1970; 2(4): 213-220
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1095095
Originals

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Cushing's Syndrome Following Ectopic Neoplastic Production of Corticotropin

(Report on Four Cases Studied by Clinical and Biochemical Methods, and by Microscopic and Macroscopic Anatomy)W.  Evertz [*] , E. F. Pfeiffer
  • Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Ulm, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
08 January 2009 (online)

Also available at
  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

In recent years it has been frequently reported that not only pathological alterations of the pituitary, hypothalamic centers or the adrenal glands, but also non-endocrine corticotropin producing syndromes lead to Cushing's syndrome. The demonstration of an ectopic ACTH syndrome, however, depends on the determination of ACTH in the tumor tissue. We succeeded in extracting a corticotropic substance from malignant tumors or their metastases. Since bio- and immunoassay of the same tumor extract yielded different results, an atypical ACTH molecule produced by the tumor was assumed. This was further supported by the abnormally high stimulation of corticosterone in our patients and the pathologically increased content of MSH. In order to exclude non-specific corticotropic activity, the ACTH content of tumors, metastases and urine were compared with the negative results of normal liver tissue and normal urine.

Key words

Ectopic ACTH Syndrome - ACTH-Extraction - Biological Assay of ACTH - Radioimmunoassay of ACTH

1 Part of this paper was presented as a dissertation for promotion to Doctor of Medicine at the Clinical Faculty of the University of Ulm.