Cushing's Syndrome Due to a Functional Thymic Neuroendocrine Tumor in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 Syndrome

Iriagbonse R Asemota; Oyintayo Ajiboye; Chineme Nwaichi; Chimezie Mbachi; Benjamin Mba

doi:10.7759/cureus.18590

Cushing's Syndrome Due to a Functional Thymic Neuroendocrine Tumor in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 Syndrome

Cureus. 2021 Oct 7;13(10):e18590. doi: 10.7759/cureus.18590. eCollection 2021 Oct.

Authors

Iriagbonse R Asemota¹, Oyintayo Ajiboye¹, Chineme Nwaichi¹, Chimezie Mbachi¹, Benjamin Mba¹

Affiliation

¹ Internal Medicine, John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, USA.

Abstract

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) syndrome is characterized by endocrinopathies and could be associated with thymic neuroendocrine tumors (NET). On rare occasions, they can be functional adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting thymic carcinoid leading to Cushing's syndrome. In this report, we describe a case of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing's syndrome due to a thymic NET associated with MEN type 1 syndrome. We highlight its aggressive clinical course, the premise for a high index of suspicion for an ectopic ACTH secretion, and the need for early surgical resection combined with medical therapy and alternative treatments.

Keywords: acth secreting tumor; cushing syndrome; functional neuroendocrine tumor; men 1; mutiple endocrine neoplasia type; net; neuroendocrine tumor; thymic tumor.

Publication types

Case Reports