A Case of 
Metastatic Adrenal Cancer with Adrenal Insufficiency

Keimyung Medical Journal 2000;19(2):267-274.

A Case of Metastatic Adrenal Cancer with Adrenal Insufficiency

부신기능 저하증을 동반한 전이성 부신암 1례

도주호; 류성열; 황준영; 정재진; 이동욱; 이상준; 권기영; 이인규

Abstract

Adrenal insufficiency is caused by destruction of the adrenal cortex; deficient pituitary ACTH secretion; or deficient hypothalamic secretion of corticotropin releasing hormone. The promi?nent symptoms are weakness; fatigue; weight loss; and gastrointestinal complaints; but these symptoms are common to many other diseases. Thus; the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency needs the exception of other diseases. Primary adernal insufficiency comes from autoimmune disease; granulomatous disease; metastatic malignancies such as lung and breast carcinoma; hemorrhagic infarction associated with anticoagulant therapy or meningococcemia; and rare hereditary diseases. In this paper; we present a case of lung cancer with adrenal metastasis which causes adrenal insufficiency. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and steroid replacement therapy successfully.

Key Words: Adrenal insufficiency, Metastatic adrenal cancer