Ectopic ACTH Secretion Secondary to Metastatic Acinic Cell Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland: A Case Report and Review of Current Evidence for Systemic Therapy

Acinic cell carcinoma is a rare, typically indolent, neoplasm that arises in the salivary glands. Metastatic disease is uncommon, occurring in around 10% of cases. We report the case of a 46-year-old male in whom the first sign of disseminated disease was increased skin pigmentation due to paraneopl...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Louise Wade MBChB, Paul Kitching MB BCh, FRCPath, Emma De Winton MBBS, FRCR
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2020-05-01
Series:Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/2324709620918080
Description
Summary:Acinic cell carcinoma is a rare, typically indolent, neoplasm that arises in the salivary glands. Metastatic disease is uncommon, occurring in around 10% of cases. We report the case of a 46-year-old male in whom the first sign of disseminated disease was increased skin pigmentation due to paraneoplastic Cushing’s syndrome. He underwent 3 cycles of chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel with no symptomatic improvement and a mixed response on imaging. There is no evidence that systemic therapy prolongs survival in metastatic acinic cell carcinoma, and we lack a consensus as to which treatment options are most beneficial. A summary of published evidence regarding choice of palliative chemotherapy regimens and response is discussed in relation to the case.
ISSN:2324-7096