CushieBlog

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Although acinic cell carcinoma — a cancer of the glands that produce saliva — is usually considered low risk, it can behave aggressively and cause Cushing’s syndrome, according to researchers who described such a case involving a 58-year-old man in Turkey.

They added that if not recognized and treated at an early stage, it can rapidly become life-threatening.

“The rarity of this entity poses a diagnostic challenge,” wrote the group of four researchers from a hospital in Turkey. “Awareness of this association is critical, as early identification and intervention may be lifesaving in selected patients.”

The case was described in a letter to the editor, titled “Paraneoplastic Cushing’s syndrome due to ACTH-secreting acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland: A rare case,” in the European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases.

• J.M. Burch et al.
  

  Ectopic ACTH production caused by metastatic parotid gland acinic cell carcinoma

  AACE Clin Case Rep

  (2021)
• P.M. Antunes Meireles et al.
  

  Ectopic Cushing’s syndrome secondary to acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland: a case report

  Case Rep Oncol

  (2023)

Filed under: Cancer, Cushing's, Rare Diseases | Tagged: Acinic Cell Carcinoma, ACTH, paraneoplastic Cushing’s syndrome, Parotid Gland | Leave a comment »