Acromegaly Caused by Ectopic Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Production from a Bronchial Carcinoid Tumor

Abstract

Acromegaly is usually caused by a growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary adenoma. In rare cases, however, it is caused by the ectopic production of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). We report a case of acromegaly due to ectopic production of GHRH from a bronchial carcinoid in a 42-year-old female. The carcinoid tumor was successfully treated with bilobectomy.

Key words

Thoracic surgery - acromegaly - bronchial carcinoid

References

• 1 Melmed S. Medical progress: acromegaly.  N Engl J Med. 2006;  355 2558-2573
• 2 Biswal S, Srinivasan B, Dutta P et al. Acromegaly caused by ectopic growth hormone: a rare manifestation of a bronchial carcinoid.  Ann Thorac Surgery. 2008;  85 330-332
• 3 Losa M, von Werder K. Pathophysiology and clinical aspects of the ectopic GH-releasing hormone syndrome.  Clin Endocrinol. 1997;  47 123-135
• 4 Van den Bruel A, Fevery J, van Dorpe J, Hofland L, Bouillon R. Hormonal and volumetric long term control of a growth hormone-releasing hormone producing carcinoid tumor.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999;  84 3162-3169
• 5 De Jager C M, de Heide L J M, van den Berg G, Wolthuis A, van Schelven W D. Acromegaly caused by a growth hormone-releasing hormone secreting carcinoid tumour of the lung: the effect of octreotide treatment.  Neth J Med. 2007;  65 263-266
• 6 Osella G, Orlandi F, Caraci P et al. Acromegaly due to ectopic secretion of GHRH by bronchial carcinoid in a patient with empty sella.  J Endocrinol Invest. 2003;  26 (2) 163-169
• 7 Scheithauer B W, Carpenter P C, Bloch B, Brazeau P. Ectopic secretion of a growth hormone-releasing factor. Report of a case of acromegaly with bronchial carcinoid tumor.  Am J Med. 1984;  76 (4) 605-616
• 8 Athanassiadi K, Exarchos D, Tsagarakis S, Bellenis I. Acromegaly caused by ectopic growth hormone-releasing hormone secretion by a carcinoid bronchial tumor: a rare entity.  J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2004;  128 (4) 631-632
• 9 Huber R M, Schopol J, Losa M et al. Growth-hormone releasing hormone in a bronchial carcinoid.  Cancer. 1991;  67 2538-2542
• 10 Drange M R, Melmed S. Long-acting lanreotide induces clinical and biochemical remission of acromegaly caused by disseminated growth hormone-releasing hormone-secreting carcinoid.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1988;  83 (9) 3104-3109