Cushing's and Malignant Carcinoid Syndromes From Ovarian Neoplasm

Introduction  THERE is a growing appreciation of the protean nature of the so-called carcinoid tumor in terms of site of origin, histological appearance, and capacity for hormone production.¹ In addition to the now widely recognized capacity of these tumors to produce the tryptophan metabolite, serotonin (5-HT), and the serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), there are well-documented instances of the elaboration of substances with the activity of corticotropin,² melanotrophin,³ histamine,⁴ insulin,⁵ catecholamines,⁶ and the vasoactive kinins.⁷It would seem that there must be many more examples of such functioning tumors with insufficient humoral activity to cause related clinical manifestations, but which could be diagnosed by appropriate screening procedures. It is the purpose of this communication to report studies of a patient who developed the signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome and later of the carcinoid syndrome from a tumor arising in the ovary.

Summary