Development of Cushing's syndrome during effective chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Paraneoplastic Cushing's syndrome caused by ectopic adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) production has been reported. However, most cases of this syndrome are diagnosed before first-line chemotherapy or at the time of disease recurrence. Here, we present a 53-year-old man who gradually developed the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome during effective chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer. His symptoms were controlled using mitotane, but his primary cancer progressed and he died 5 months after the start of chemotherapy. This very rare case of Cushing's syndrome associated with small cell lung cancer during effective chemotherapy is presented here.