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Interleukin-6 producing pheochromocytoma presenting with acute inflammatory syndrome

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Abstract

Pheochromocytomas are tumors able to produce catecholamines and a variety of biologically active neuropeptides. We report the case of a 36-yr-old female patient with pheochromocytoma exhibiting headache, intermittent fever, thrombocytosis, and marked inflammatory signs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were ineffective in lowering the body temperature, while a corticosteroid agent obtained excellent results. IL-6 was found elevated (20 pg/ml); it fell to 4.5 pg/ml 3 weeks after the adrenalectomy, in parallel to normalization of other laboratory data. The interleukin-6 (IL-6) over-production can either be ascribed directly to the tumor (as confirmed by immunohistochemistry) or indirectly accounted for by tumoral production, as a consequence of the high levels of circulating norepinephrine. To our knowledge, our paper represents the 6th case report of IL-6 secreting pheochromocytoma associated with clinical markers of inflammatory response.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of clinical and Biological Sciences, General Medical Clinic, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043, Orbassano (TO), Italy

    Marco Minetto, A. Dovio, M. Ventura, F. Daffara, M. Terzolo & A. Angeli

  2. Pathologic Anatomy S.C.D.O, San Luigi Hospital, Orbassano (TO), Italy

    S. Cappia

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  1. Marco Minetto
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  2. A. Dovio
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Correspondence to Marco Minetto.

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Minetto, M., Dovio, A., Ventura, M. et al. Interleukin-6 producing pheochromocytoma presenting with acute inflammatory syndrome. J Endocrinol Invest 26, 453–457 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03345202

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