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Development of cushing's syndrome and virilization after presentation of a nonfunctioning adrenocortical carcinoma
Author(s) -
Grunberg Steven M.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19820815)50:4<815::aid-cncr2820500433>3.0.co;2-3
Subject(s) - virilization , adrenocortical carcinoma , medicine , cushingoid , cushing syndrome , mitotane , presentation (obstetrics) , carcinoma , endocrinology , hormone , surgery , androgen
Adrenocortical carcinoma is traditionally divided into functioning and nonfunctioning tumors. However, a case is presented of a 50‐year‐old woman with a clinically nonfunctioning adrenocortical carcinoma who later developed a Cushingoid appearance and symptoms of virilization with laboratory evidence of marked steroid hormone hypersecretion. The metabolic behavior and the rationale for division of these tumors into two categories (functioning and nonfunctioning) are discussed. It is suggested that such a division may be misleading and may not reflect the true state of the tumors.