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Cushing's syndrome caused by ectopic ACTH secretion from pulmonary tumourlets
Abstract
Ectopic adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) secretion accounts for 9 -18% of all causes of Cushing's syndrome.' The commonest source of the ectopic ACTH syndrome is carcinoma of the lung, with a smaller contribution from carcinoid tumours. While bronchial carcinoid tumours are reported to be responsible for 5 - 39% of ectopic ACTH-associated Cushing's syndrome, pulmonary tumourlets, which represent an uncommon form of neuroendocrine proliferation, may rarely give rise to Cushing's syndrome by secreting ACTHY This report details the identification of two such cases presenting to the Endocrine Unit at King Edward Vlll Hospital, Durban, South Africa.