A rare cause of acromegaly: ectopic production of growth hormone-releasing factor by a bronchial carcinoid tumor.

ABSTRACT

Ectopic production of growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) is a rare cause of acromegaly. In addition to its production by gangliocytomas, both hypothalamic and intrasellar, in rare cases various neuroendocrine neoplasms produce the substance, with resultant growth hormone cell hyperplasia of the pituitary and acromegaly. We report an endocrinologically well-documented case of a GRF-producing bronchial carcinoid tumor in which the associated acromegaly was cured by lobectomy.