Recurrent Cushing's Disease Caused by a TPIT-Lineage Densely Granulated Corticotroph Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumor: A Case Report.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent Cushing's disease (recurrent CD) is an uncommon and intricate clinical form of Cushing's syndrome. However, the connection between the pathological types of ACTH-secreting PitNETs and the clinical signs of recurrent CD remains uncertain. CASE DESCRIPTION A 64-year-old woman, previously diagnosed with renal carcinoma, was admitted to our hospital due to recent weight gain. Previous endocrine tests indicated fluctuating hypercortisolemia and a recurrent pituitary tumor over the past six years. She underwent two transsphenoidal hypophysectomies, and histopathological analysis of the tumor revealed it as a densely granulated corticotroph tumor (DGCT), a subtype of TPIT-lineage PitNET, accompanied by tumor apoplexy. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the connection between recurrent CD and the pathological subtypes of TPIT-lineage DGCT-PitNETs.