Ectopic secretion of a growth hormone-releasing factor. Report of a case of acromegaly with bronchial carcinoid tumor

Am J Med. 1984 Apr;76(4):605-16. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(84)90284-5.

Abstract

Rarely, acromegaly is produced by neuroendocrine neoplasms elaborating a substance similar to or identical with growth hormone-releasing factor. This report reviews the cases described to date and presents the clinicopathologic features of a patient with acromegaly, mild sellar enlargement, and elevated growth hormone levels associated with a large bronchial carcinoid tumor. Normalization of serum growth hormone levels and regression of acromegaly followed resection of the bronchial tumor, which was shown, by bioassay and immunocytochemistry, to contain a growth hormone-releasing factor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acromegaly / etiology*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bronchial Neoplasms / complications
  • Bronchial Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Carcinoid Tumor / complications
  • Carcinoid Tumor / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraneoplastic Endocrine Syndromes / etiology*

Substances

  • Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone