Megestrol acetate-induced adrenal insufficiency.

Paula González Villarroel, Isaura Fernández Pérez, Concepción Páramo, Marta Gentil González, Beatriz Carnero López, M Lidia Vázquez Tuñas, Juan A Carrasco Alvarez

Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico 2008 Apr

filter terms:

Megestrol acetate is a synthetic progestin that has been used since the 1970s for the treatment of advanced cancer and subsequently to treat anorexia, cachexia and weight loss in AIDS patients. It has been shown that high doses or prolonged treatment with this drug may cause Cushing's syndrome, new-onset diabetes and suppression of plasma ACTH and cortisol levels. Megestrol acetate may cause suppression of the pituitary-adrenal axis due to the affinity of this compound for the glucocorticoid receptor. Recognising the glucocorticoid-like activity of megestrol and its effects at the axis level is important for the diagnosis of sub-clinical adrenal insufficiency. We present the case of a 74-year-old woman with infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma refractory to prolonged hormonal treatment with megestrol acetate, presenting with adrenal insufficiency.

Citation

Paula González Villarroel, Isaura Fernández Pérez, Concepción Páramo, Marta Gentil González, Beatriz Carnero López, M Lidia Vázquez Tuñas, Juan A Carrasco Alvarez. Megestrol acetate-induced adrenal insufficiency. Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico. 2008 Apr;10(4):235-7