Growth hormone-releasing hormone-secreting giant pheochromocytoma causing acromegaly: a case report with a review of the literature
Abstract
The ectopic secretion of growth hormone (GH) or growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) is responsible for fewer than 1% of acromegaly cases. Furthermore, within this small population, GHRH-secreting pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas (PPGLs) are even rarer. A 57-year-old Japanese woman presented to our hospital for treatment of a large left-sided pheochromocytoma (PCC). A physical examination revealed enlargement of the nose and lips as well as macroglossia, thereby raising the suspicion of acromegaly, which was biochemically confirmed by a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a slightly enlarged pituitary gland but no definitive tumor. A left adrenalectomy was performed after careful dose titration of doxazosin and metyrosine. Postoperative biochemical improvement of GH excess and immunohistochemical analysis of the resected tumor confirmed the diagnosis of GHRH-secreting PCC. Given the possibility that PPGLs produce various ectopic hormones and peptides, thorough physical examinations remain fundamental for the accurate diagnosis and optimal management of patients with these tumors.
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BibTeX
@article{kitamura2026growth,
title = {{Growth hormone-releasing hormone-secreting giant pheochromocytoma causing acromegaly: a case report with a review of the literature}},
author = {Takuya Kitamura and Kazutaka Nanba and Mutsuki Mishina and Toru Kanno and Seiko Kasahara and Naoki Higashibeppu and Koki Moriyoshi and Naoko Inoshita and Noriko Kimura and Naotetsu Kanamoto},
journal = {Endocrine Journal},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1507/endocrj.ej26-0363},
url = {https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/endocrj/advpub/0/advpub_EJ26-0363/_article},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Growth hormone-releasing hormone-secreting giant pheochromocytoma causing acromegaly: a case report with a review of the literature
AU - Takuya Kitamura
AU - Kazutaka Nanba
AU - Mutsuki Mishina
AU - Toru Kanno
AU - Seiko Kasahara
AU - Naoki Higashibeppu
AU - Koki Moriyoshi
AU - Naoko Inoshita
AU - Noriko Kimura
AU - Naotetsu Kanamoto
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/17
JO - Endocrine Journal
DO - 10.1507/endocrj.ej26-0363
UR - https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/endocrj/advpub/0/advpub_EJ26-0363/_article
AB - The ectopic secretion of growth hormone (GH) or growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) is responsible for fewer than 1% of acromegaly cases. Furthermore, within this small population, GHRH-secreting pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas (PPGLs) are even rarer. A 57-year-old Japanese woman presented to our hospital for treatment of a large left-sided pheochromocytoma (PCC). A physical examination revealed enlargement of the nose and lips as well as macroglossia, thereby raising the suspicion of acromegaly, which was biochemically confirmed by a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a slightly enlarged pituitary gland but no definitive tumor. A left adrenalectomy was performed after careful dose titration of doxazosin and metyrosine. Postoperative biochemical improvement of GH excess and immunohistochemical analysis of the resected tumor confirmed the diagnosis of GHRH-secreting PCC. Given the possibility that PPGLs produce various ectopic hormones and peptides, thorough physical examinations remain fundamental for the accurate diagnosis and optimal management of patients with these tumors.
SN - 1348-4540
SN - 0918-8959
ER -