What is the most likely manifestation of thymic carcinoid?:
Correct Answer: Cushing’s syndrome
Adapted from:
Radiographics. 1999;19:707-736.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
From the Archives of the AFIP
Thoracic Carcinoids: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation
Approximately one-half of thymic carcinoids are functionally active and manifest with clinical hormone syndromes.
Cushing syndrome: 33%–40% of affected individuals.
Type 1 MEN (Wermer syndrome):19%–25% of patients with thymic carcinoids. Type 1 MEN syndrome is characterized by:
- hyperparathyroidism (90% of cases), islet cell tumors of the pancreas (80%), and pituitary adenomas (65%). Carcinoids, adrenal adenomas or carcinomas, lipomas, or follicular thyroid adenomas are less frequently associated neoplasms .
- Additional associated conditions found in patients with thymic carcinoids include type 2 MEN syndrome, inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, polymyositis, clubbing, polyarthropathy, and myocarditis.
- There are no reports of the carcinoid syndrome in patients with thymic carcinoids.