Browse

You are looking at 1 - 2 of 2 items for :

  • Asian - Indian x
  • Related Disciplines x
  • Country of Treatment x
  • Publication Details x
Clear All
Jenny S W Yun Department of Surgical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Search for other papers by Jenny S W Yun in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Chris McCormack Department of Surgical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Search for other papers by Chris McCormack in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Michelle Goh Department of Surgical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Search for other papers by Michelle Goh in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Cherie Chiang Department of Internal Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

Search for other papers by Cherie Chiang in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

Summary

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a common dermatosis associated with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. However, AN has been rarely reported in patients with insulinoma, a state of persistent hyperinsulinemia. We present a case of metastatic insulinoma, in whom AN manifested after the first cycle of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). A 40-year-old man was diagnosed with metastatic insulinoma after 5 months of symptomatic hypoglycemia. Within 1 month post PRRT, the patient became euglycemic but developed a pigmented, pruritic rash which was confirmed on biopsy as AN. We discuss the rare manifestation of AN in subjects with insulinoma, the role of insulin in the pathogenesis of AN, malignant AN in non-insulin-secreting malignancies and association with other insulin-resistant endocrinopathies such as acromegaly.

Learning points

  • Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a common dermatosis which is typically asymptomatic and associated with the hyperinsulinemic state.

  • Malignant AN can rapidly spread, cause pruritus and affect mucosa and the oral cavity.

  • AN is extremely rare in patients with insulinoma despite marked hyperinsulinemia.

  • Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy might have triggered TGF-α secretion in this subject which led to malignant AN.

  • Rapid spread or unusual distribution of pruritic AN warrants further investigation to exclude underlying malignancy.

Open access
Ray Wang Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

Search for other papers by Ray Wang in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Benjamin Solomon Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Search for other papers by Benjamin Solomon in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Stephen J Luen Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Search for other papers by Stephen J Luen in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Owen W.J. Prall Department of Pathology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

Search for other papers by Owen W.J. Prall in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Christine Khoo Department of Pathology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

Search for other papers by Christine Khoo in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Anthony J Gill University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Search for other papers by Anthony J Gill in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Jeremy Lewin Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Search for other papers by Jeremy Lewin in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Nirupa Sachithanandan Department of Internal Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

Search for other papers by Nirupa Sachithanandan in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

Summary

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare disease with poor prognosis whose clinical heterogeneity can at times present a challenge to accurate and timely diagnosis. We present the case of a patient who presented with extensive pulmonary lesions, mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy and an adrenal mass in whom the oncological diagnosis was initially uncertain. Through the use of immunohistochemistry, biochemistry and genomic testing, an accurate diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma was ultimately made which resulted in more directed treatment being administered. The use of multidisciplinary input and genomics to aid in diagnosis and prognosis of adrenocortical carcinoma is discussed.

Learning points

  • Adrenocortical carcinomas can present a diagnostic challenge to clinicians given it is a rare malignancy with significant clinical heterogeneity.

  • Specialist multidisciplinary team input is vital in the diagnosis and management of adrenocortical carcinomas.

  • Hormonal testing is recommended in the diagnostic workup of adrenal masses, even in the absence of overt clinical signs/symptoms of hormone excess.

  • Immunostaining for the highly sensitive and specific steroidogenic factor-1 is vital for accurate diagnosis.

  • Genomics can provide prognostic utility in management of adrenocortical carcinoma.

Open access