Ectopic ACTH-secreting tumor of the thymus revealed by a Cushing’s syndrome: case report and review of literature

Tumors of the thymus are rare. Neuroendocrine tumors are extremely rare. We report a case of a 39-year-old man, referred to our hospital for a paraneoplastic Cushing syndrome with a thymic tumor. Despite bilateral adrenalectomy, the patient still had signs of hypercorticism. A CT scan revealed a 25-mm nodule in the thymic compartment. A resection was indicated and surgery was successful. No adjuvant therapy was administrated. After 10 months, the patient was in good health and his clinical symptoms resolved, with no signs of recurrence. Lung and thymic neuroendocrine carcinomas with Cushing syndrome are aggressive with a high risk of recurrence even after a complete resection. A close follow-up is recommended.