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Case Report and Review

Carcinoid tumor of the thymus associated with Cushing′s syndrome and dysgeusia: case report and review of the literature

Cristina Claret1, 5, Juan J. Chillarón1, 5 Contact Information, Juana A. Flores1, 5, David Benaiges1, 5, Rafael Aguiló2, Mar García3, Guadalupe Aguilar4, Alberto Goday1, 5 and Juan F. Cano-Pérez1, 5

(1)  Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Passeig Marítim 25–29, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
(2)  Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
(3)  Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
(4)  Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
(5)  Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Received: 21 August 2009  Accepted: 18 September 2009  Published online: 27 October 2009

Abstract  A 30-year-old man was hospitalized with edema, polyuria, and abnormalities in taste. ACTH and cortisol levels at admission were markedly elevated, even after attempted suppression with 8 mg dexamethasone. A thoracic–abdominal CT revealed an anterior mediastinal lesion and hyperplasia of both adrenal glands. After excision of the mediastinal mass, which confirmed the presence of a carcinoid thymic tumor, the patient became totally asymptomatic, with normal ACTH and cortisol levels. A carcinoid thymic tumor has a poor prognosis, especially when it is associated with Cushing’s syndrome. Most patients will present recidivism or metastasis within 5 years after surgery. However, the low number of cases available for analysis makes it difficult to establish optimum therapeutic approaches.

Keywords  Carcinoid - Neuroendocrine tumors - Thymus - Cushing′s syndrome


Contact Information Juan J. Chillarón
Email: 94425@imas.imim.es
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