J Korean Soc Endocrinol.  2005 Aug;20(4):401-406. 10.3803/jkes.2005.20.4.401.

A Case of Acromegaly with Gall Bladder Cancer

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea.

Abstract

Acromegaly is a systemic endocrine disorder due to an excessive release of growth hormone, which increases the serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1). Elevated levels of these hormones are assumed to increase the incidence of malignant tumors in patients with acromegaly, due to by stimulating the growth and maturation of cells. In particular, IGF-1 is considered to be closely related with the development of colon polyps and colon cancers. Studies suggest that various malignant tumors, including thyroid cancer, brain tumor and renal cell carcinomas, are also more common in patients with acromegaly. Here, a case of gall bladder cancer in a patient with acromegaly, and the possible relationships between these two disorders, is reported.


MeSH Terms

Acromegaly*
Brain Neoplasms
Carcinoma, Renal Cell
Colon
Colonic Neoplasms
Gallbladder Neoplasms*
Growth Hormone
Humans
Incidence
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Polyps
Thyroid Neoplasms
Growth Hormone
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Acral bony overgrowth results in increased hand and foot size, and prognathism; soft tissue swelling results in coarse facial features and large fleshy nose.

  • Fig. 2 Sella MRI: There is a 3.2×2.5 cm sized, heterogeneously enhancing, irregular mass lesion. It extends into suprasella lesion and invasively extends into right side carvenous sinus, while encircling right carotid artery

  • Fig. 3 Abdominal CT 3A. 5 cm sized soft tissue mass lesion on GB with extensive localized invasion, metastatic lymphadenopathy, and peritoneal carcinomatosis 3B. More enlarged primary mass lesion measuring 7.5 cm with more advanced peritoneal carcinomatosis after 2 cycles of chemotherapy

  • Fig. 4 Cholangiogram 4A. Bilateral intrahepatic duct dilatation on hilar level 4B. Left-to-right anterior and right posterior-to-common bile duct metallic biliary stent inserted state


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