Pregnancy-associated Cushing's syndrome secondary to a luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin receptor-positive adrenal carcinoma

Abstract

Cushing's syndrome occurring during pregnancy is frequently due to an adrenal neoplasm. Adrenal gland tumors occasionally respond to luteinizing hormone (LH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). We report a case of Cushing's syndrome during and following pregnancy due to an adrenal carcinoma which expressed the LH/hCG receptor. The presence of these receptors may have led to the growth and function of the tumor during pregnancy.