Successful treatment by chemotherapy for acromegaly associated with ectopic growth hormone releasing hormone secretion from a carcinoid tumour.

Acromegaly secondary to the secretion of ectopic growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) is rare. We have documented the presentation and unusual clinical course of a patient with a disseminated GHRH-secreting bronchial carcinoid tumour associated with acromegaly over a 17-year period. Recurrent widespread metastatic lesions have been treated over a 10-year period by repeated cycles of the nitrosourea CCNU and 5-fluorouracil with evidence of tumour regression and reduction of circulating growth hormone (GH) and urinary 5HIAA excretion. This cytotoxic regimen, which has been well tolerated, may prove valuable in the management of disseminated carcinoid tumours.