Ectopic Production of Multiple Hormones (ACTH, MSH and Gastrin) by a Single Malignant Tumor

Abstract

ALTHOUGH functioning tumors of endocrine glands have been recognized for many years it is only recently that attention has been paid to the so-called "ectopic" production of hormones by tumors of tissues that are not the natural sites of hormone production. The most extensive studies in this group have been made of the ectopic production of ACTH by tumors originating most commonly in the lung.^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10} However, there has been evidence that tumors may be the ectopic source of a variety of other hormones, including parathyroid hormone,¹¹ insulin,¹² gastrin,¹³ antidiuretic hormone,¹⁴ estrogen,¹⁵ thyroid-stimulating hormone,¹⁶ chorionic gonadotropin,¹⁷ erythropoietin¹⁸ and serotonin.¹⁹ This report . . .