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MINI REVIEW article

Front. Endocrinol.

Sec. Neuroendocrine Science

Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fendo.2025.1580876

ACTH/CRH secreting pheochromocytoma as a very rare cause of ectopic Cushing syndrome

Provisionally accepted
Barbara  BromińskaBarbara Bromińska1*Nadia  Sawicka-GutajNadia Sawicka-Gutaj1Ewelina  Szczepanek-ParulskaEwelina Szczepanek-Parulska1Małgorzat  Lange-RatajczakMałgorzat Lange-Ratajczak2Tomasz  WierzbickiTomasz Wierzbicki2Małgorzata  Janicka-JedyńskaMałgorzata Janicka-Jedyńska3Rafal  CzepczynskiRafal Czepczynski1Marek  RuchalaMarek Ruchala1
  • 1Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
  • 2Clinical Department of General, Gastroenterological and Endocrine Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
  • 3Department of Clinical Psychology, Poznań University of Medical Science, Poznań, Greater Poland, Poland

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

Ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) is a very rare condition, characterized by symptoms of excessive hypercortisolemia. Unregulated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion of extra-pituitary origin is responsible for approximately 9-18 % of ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome cases. Tumors presenting as an EAS are located in various organs and differ in both histological type and aggressiveness. In cases of severe EAS diagnostic process should not be prolonged and the main goal is to achieve cortisol secretion control. In this study, patient with EAS of rare, adrenal origin was presented. Adrenal glands should be considered among potential source of EAS.

Keywords: Pheochromocytoma, adrenal gland, ectopic hypercortisolemia, Cushing Syndrome, Catecholamines

Received: 25 Feb 2025; Accepted: 16 Jun 2025.

Copyright: © 2025 Bromińska, Sawicka-Gutaj, Szczepanek-Parulska, Lange-Ratajczak, Wierzbicki, Janicka-Jedyńska, Czepczynski and Ruchala. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: Barbara Bromińska, Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland

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