Difficulties in diagnosis and treatment of ectopic ACTH-producing tumors of the chest

Abstract

It is widely accepted that surgery is the first choice treatment for ACTH-secreting tumors, most of them being lung or bronchial tumors. However, the localization of such lesions is rather difficult and it needs a compelling work-up. Here we present the results of different hormonal and imaging investigations and the surgical outcome of three patients with ectopic Cushing's syndrome.