Facial hyperpigmentation: Any link to cancer?

Abstract

Introduction: Ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome is recognized by edema, proximal muscle weakness, hypertension, diabetes and skin hyperpigmentation. This syndrome is mainly associated with malignancies. Case presentation: A 43-year-old woman came to our hospital with a history of new-onset diabetes, hypertension, edema and facial hyperpigmentation from four months before. Upon admission, she had alkalosis, hypokalemia, mild hypertension and low-grade fever. Due to abdominal pain, an abdominal ultrasound was performed, which revealed common bile duct (CBD) and pancreatic duct dilation. The abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) scan showed a poorly-enhancing mass in the periampullary region. Conclusion: The patient's facial hyperpigmentation and hypokalemia appear to have been due to ACTH ectopic syndrome as a result of periampullary cancer.

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Files
IssueVol 3 No 1 (2019): Winter (February) QRcode
SectionCase (report / study)
PMCIDPMC6548085
PMID31172120
Keywords
Case reports Cushing Syndrome Hyperpigmentation Paraneoplastic endocrine syndromes
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Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
1.
Deihim T, KhajaviRad N, Abaszadeh M, Karimpour Reihan S. Facial hyperpigmentation: Any link to cancer?. Front Emerg Med. 2018;3(1):e9.

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