Stage IV Small Cell Lung Cancer Causing Severe Cushing Syndrome
This lung cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage IV
- Subtype
- Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Biomarkers
- Ectopic ACTH secretion with markedly elevated ACTH and cortisol
- Sex
- Male
- Spread to
- liver|bones
- Treatment
- chemotherapy and radiation
- Outcome
- In Memory
Treatment course, step by step
- Six cycles of carboplatin and etoposide reduced the tumor and controlled ACTH and cortisol.
- After progression at 7 months, he received 4 cycles of topotecan, 2 further carboplatin and etoposide cycles, and 1 carboplatin and paclitaxel cycle.
- He also received prophylactic cranial irradiation.
What happened, in summary
A 42-year-old former smoker presented with chest pain, breathlessness, fatigue, leg swelling, facial darkening, and rapid weight gain. He had severe high blood pressure, metabolic alkalosis, and a potassium level of 1.9 mmol/L. Imaging showed a left hilar lung mass, multiple liver lesions, and later osteolytic bone metastases. The cancer was Stage IV small cell lung cancer producing ectopic ACTH, causing severe Cushing syndrome.
Metyrapone, potassium replacement, and blood-pressure medicines were started to control the hormone effects. Six cycles of carboplatin and etoposide reduced the tumor and brought ACTH and cortisol much closer to normal. Scans initially showed stable primary and metastatic disease.
After 7 months, the lung tumor, liver lesions, and bone disease progressed and the hormone syndrome worsened. Further treatment included 4 cycles of topotecan, 2 more cycles of carboplatin and etoposide, 1 cycle of carboplatin and paclitaxel, and prophylactic cranial irradiation. His condition continued to decline, and he died after cardiopulmonary arrest 1 year after diagnosis.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by PMC / PubMed Central. Read the original in full
How we source and attribute stories Accuracy and limitations
Collections this story belongs to
- Stage 4 Lung Cancer 384 stories
- Carboplatin for Stage 4 Lung Cancer 104 stories
- Carboplatin for Lung Cancer 168 stories
These are lay summaries of published cancer stories, for information only. No two cancers behave the same way, and nothing here predicts your own diagnosis or replaces advice from your oncology team. Read the full disclaimer