Ectopic Thymoma Research Articles

Concomitant suppression of plasma ACTH- and beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity by cyproheptadine, naloxone, and somatostatin in the ectopic ACTH syndrome.

Release of plasma ACTH- and beta-endorphin (beta-EP)-like immunoreactivity (LI) was studied in vivo in a patient with an ectopic ACTH-producing malignant thymoma. Administration of lysin vasopressin stimulated concomitant release of plasma ACTH- and beta-EP-LI. Administration of cyproheptadine, naloxone, and somatostatin significantly suppressed plasma levels of ACTH- and beta-EP-LI, while saline infusion did not. Gel exclusion chromatography of the plasma extracts revealed that ACTH-LI consisted of two components, large and small molecular weight form, while beta-EP-LI consisted of three components, large molecular weight, beta-lipotropin-, and beta-EP-sized form; each of these components was incompletely suppressed by somatostatin infusion. It is suggested that certain tumors may have acquired aberrant multiple receptors during malignant transformation which may lead to the paradoxical hormone response as demonstrated in this case.

潜在性甲状せんがんをともなったけい部異所性胸せんしゅの１例

An ectopic malignant thymoma in association with occult papillary adenocarcinoma in the thyroid, seen in a 58-year-old female, was reported. Clinically, this tumor took after a thyroid carcinoma. Thyroid scintigram using 99mTcO4- showed a cold nodule, while 201Tl radio-isotopes were markedly accumulated in the tumor lesion. Since the tumor invaded the left thyroid lobe and isthmus, recurrent nerve, trachea and esophageal muscle layer, subtotal thyroidectomy with resection of 2nd to 4th tracheal rings and partial resection of the esophageal muscle. The defective trachea was reconstructed by end to end anastomosis. Histologic examination revealed a malignant thymoma of mixed type and an occult papillary adenocarcinoma in the thyroid gland. Two year and three month follow-up showed no local recurrence and metastasis.