Diagnosis and Treatment > Medication
Search for other papers by Philip D Oddie in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Benjamin B Albert in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Starship Children’s Health, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
Search for other papers by Paul L Hofman in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Starship Children’s Health, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
Search for other papers by Craig Jefferies in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Stephen Laughton in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Philippa J Carter in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) during childhood is a rare malignant tumor that frequently results in glucocorticoid and/or androgen excess. When there are signs of microscopic or macroscopic residual disease, adjuvant therapy is recommended with mitotane, an adrenolytic and cytotoxic drug. In addition to the anticipated side effect of adrenal insufficiency, mitotane is known to cause gynecomastia and hypothyroidism in adults. It has never been reported to cause precocious puberty. A 4-year-old girl presented with a 6-week history of virilization and elevated androgen levels and 1-year advancement in bone age. Imaging revealed a right adrenal mass, which was subsequently surgically excised. Histology revealed ACC with multiple unfavorable features, including high mitotic index, capsular invasion and atypical mitoses. Adjuvant chemotherapy was started with mitotane, cisplatin, etoposide and doxorubicin. She experienced severe gastrointestinal side effects and symptomatic adrenal insufficiency, which occurred despite physiological-dose corticosteroid replacement. She also developed hypothyroidism that responded to treatment with levothyroxine and peripheral precocious puberty (PPP) with progressive breast development and rapidly advancing bone age. Five months after discontinuing mitotane, her adrenal insufficiency persisted and she developed secondary central precocious puberty (CPP). This case demonstrates the diverse endocrine complications associated with mitotane therapy, which contrast with the presentation of ACC itself. It also provides the first evidence that the known estrogenic effect of mitotane can manifest as PPP.
Learning points:
-
Adrenocortical carcinoma is an important differential diagnosis for virilization in young children
-
Mitotane is a chemotherapeutic agent that is used to treat adrenocortical carcinoma and causes adrenal necrosis
-
Mitotane is an endocrine disruptor. In addition to the intended effect of adrenal insufficiency, it can cause hypothyroidism, with gynecomastia also reported in adults.
-
Patients taking mitotane require very high doses of hydrocortisone replacement therapy because mitotane interferes with steroid metabolism. This effect persists after mitotane therapy is completed
-
In our case, mitotane caused peripheral precocious puberty, possibly through its estrogenic effect.
Search for other papers by Shinobu Takayasu in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Shingo Murasawa in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Satoshi Yamagata in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Kazunori Kageyama in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Takeshi Nigawara in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Yutaka Watanuki in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Daisuke Kimura in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Takao Tsushima in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Yoshiyuki Sakamoto in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Kenichi Hakamada in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ken Terui in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Makoto Daimon in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Patients with Cushing’s syndrome and excess exogenous glucocorticoids have an increased risk for venous thromboembolism, as well as arterial thrombi. The patients are at high risk of thromboembolic events, especially during active disease and even in cases of remission and after surgery in Cushing’s syndrome and withdrawal state in glucocorticoid users. We present a case of Cushing’s syndrome caused by adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting lung carcinoid tumor. Our patient developed acute mesenteric ischemia after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery despite administration of sufficient glucocorticoid and thromboprophylaxis in the perioperative period. In addition, our patient developed hepatic infarction after surgical resection of the intestine. Then, the patient was supported by total parenteral nutrition. Our case report highlights the risk of microthrombi, which occurred in our patient after treatment of ectopic Cushing’s syndrome. Guidelines on thromboprophylaxis and/or antiplatelet therapy for Cushing’s syndrome are acutely needed.
Learning points:
-
The present case showed acute mesenteric thromboembolism and hepatic infarction after treatment of ectopic Cushing’s syndrome.
-
Patients with Cushing’s syndrome are at increased risk for thromboembolic events and increased morbidity and mortality.
-
An increase in thromboembolic risk has been observed during active disease, even in cases of remission and postoperatively in Cushing’s syndrome.
-
Thromboprophylaxis and antiplatelet therapy should be considered in treatment of glucocorticoid excess or glucocorticoid withdrawal.
Search for other papers by Ravi Kumar Menon in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Francesco Ferrau in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Tom R Kurzawinski in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Gill Rumsby in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Alexander Freeman in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Zahir Amin in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Márta Korbonits in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Teng-Teng L L Chung in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) has previously only been reported in eight patients with type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF1). There has not been any clear evidence of a causal association between NF1 gene mutations and adrenocortical malignancy development. We report the case of a 49-year-old female, with no family history of endocrinopathy, who was diagnosed with ACC on the background of NF1, due to a novel germline frame shift mutation (c.5452_5453delAT) in exon 37 of the NF1 gene. A left adrenal mass was detected by ultrasound and characterised by contrast computerised tomography (CT) scan. Biochemical tests showed mild hypercortisolism and androgen excess. A 24-h urinary steroid profile and 18flouro deoxy glucose PET suggested ACC. An open adrenalectomy was performed and histology confirmed ACC. This is the first reported case with DNA analysis, which demonstrated the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the NF1 locus in the adrenal cancer, supporting the hypothesis of an involvement of the NF1 gene in the pathogenesis of ACC. LOH analysis of the tumour suggests that the loss of neurofibromin in the adrenal cells may lead to tumour formation.
Learning points
-
ACC is rare but should be considered in a patient with NF1 and adrenal mass when plasma metanephrines are normal.
-
Urinary steroid metabolites and PET/CT are helpful in supporting evidence for ACC.
-
The LOH at the NF1 region of the adrenal tumour supports the role of loss of neurofibromin in the development of ACC.
