Tuberc Respir Dis.  2009 Jul;67(1):47-51.

Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency Associated with Megestrol Acetate in a Patient with Lung Cancer

• Park JC
• Park SY

Abstract

Loss of appetite is an important factor in the quality of life for advanced cancer patients. Megestrol acetate is used to stimulate appetite, but it can cause suppression of the pituitary adrenal axis due to the affinity of the glucocorticoid receptor. Adrenal insufficiency is a life threatening disorder if left, untreated, but the initial clinical symptoms of the patients are vague. Awareness of the glucocorticoid-like activity of megestrol acetate and its side effects are important for the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency. We present a case of secondary adrenal insufficiency associated with megestrol acetate in a patient with lung cancer.

Keyword

Adrenal insufficiency; Lung neoplasms; Megestrol acetate

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Insufficiency
Appetite
Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Humans
Lung
Lung Neoplasms
Megestrol
Megestrol Acetate
Quality of Life
Receptors, Glucocorticoid
Megestrol
Megestrol Acetate
Receptors, Glucocorticoid

Figure

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  Figure 1 Abdominal CT shows a 2.5 cm sized speculated enhancing mass in right low lobe.

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  Figure 2 PET/CT shows a hypermetabolic area in right lung (SUV=8.2).

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  Figure 3 In T1 (A) and T2 (B) weighted sagittal MRI of brain, normal pituitary gland is seen.

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