1.Beyond Mitotane in a Patient With Highly Aggressive Adrenocortical Carcinoma
Muhammad Shukri Johar ; Siti Sanaa Wan Azman ; Dorothy Maria Anthony Bernard ; Foo Siew Hui
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):30-31
Introduction:
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive malignancy with high rates of recurrence even after surgical
resection. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment,
while adjuvant options are limited. Mitotane is the only
approved systemic therapy. Current guidelines recommend
stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) alongside adjuvant
mitotane therapy in Rx, R1, R2 resections and in locally
advanced disease.
Case:
We present a case of a 40-year-old female who presented
with abdominal pain and was found to have a large
heterogeneous left adrenal mass measuring 8.2 × 8.5 × 9.5
cm (Hounsfield Unit 63) on computed tomography (CT)
imaging. Clinically, she was obese with a body mass index
of 33.7 kg/m². No discriminatory feature of Cushing’s was
present. Hormonal evaluation demonstrated autonomous
cortisol secretion with failure of suppression on both
overnight and low-dose dexamethasone suppression tests
at 301 nmol/L and 313.6 nmol/L, respectively. DHEA,
testosterone, and urinary metanephrine were within range.
Hemoglobin A1c was 6.6%. She underwent open left
adrenalectomy. Intra-operatively, a 12 × 10 cm adrenal tumor
was identified with multiple areas of tumor rupture and
spillage during mobilization. HPE confirmed high-grade
ACC with high Weiss score of 8, Ki-67 index 60–80%, and
mitotic count 54/50 hpf (pT2Nx). Post-operative CT imaging
demonstrated a residual soft tissue lesion in the left adrenal
bed (largest diameter 3.8 cm) with fluorodeoxyglucose
avidity. We commenced adjuvant mitotane therapy,
titrated to 2 g TDS with supraphysiological hydrocortisone
replacement. Mitotane level was within therapeutic range
(16 mcg/mL). She was deemed unsuitable for repeat surgery
due to the proximity of the residual mass to the adjacent
vessel and was planned for SBRT therapy after a multidisciplinary team discussion.
Conclusion
High-risk ACC with suspected residual disease remains a
therapeutic challenge. While mitotane remains the cornerstone of adjuvant therapy, SBRT may represent a promising
adjunctive local treatment modality in carefully selected
patients. Further studies are required to define its role in
improving local control and outcomes in ACC.
Adrenocortical Carcinoma
;
Mitotane
2.The Placenta as a Parathyroid: Pregnancy-Induced Normalization of Refractory Postsurgical Hypoparathyroidism
Dinehs Rao ; Siti Sanaa Wan Azman ; Dorothy Maria Anthony Bernard ; Foo Siew Hui
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):78-79
Introduction:
Permanent hypoparathyroidism is a recognized complication of total thyroidectomy, with an estimated incidence
of 10.47%. Standard treatment involves supplementation
with calcium and activated vitamin D. However, some
patients remain refractory to conventional therapy and fail
to achieve normocalcemia. During pregnancy, significant
physiological changes occur in calcium-regulating
hormones. Notably, the placenta increases the production
of parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), which
acts as a calcitropic hormone, mimicking the effects of
parathyroid hormone.
Case:
A 38-year-old female with a history of total thyroidectomy
14 years ago for follicular thyroid carcinoma presented
with permanent hypoparathyroidism. Her condition
was refractory to high-dose replacement therapy, which
included calcium carbonate 3 g BD, alfacalcidol 4 mcg ON,
calcitriol 1 mcg BD, and cholecalciferol 100,000 IU OD.
Despite compliance, her serum calcium levels fluctuated
between 1.7 and 1.93 mmol/L, necessitating intermittent
intravenous calcium infusions. Laboratory investigations
showed a phosphate level of 1.63 mmol/L and 24-hour
urine calcium of 4.81 mmol/L. Her thyroid function
remained stable on levothyroxine 150 mcg daily (T4:
12.0 pmol/L; thyroid-stimulating hormone: 2.93 mIU/L).
While off-label use of teriparatide was being considered,
she became pregnant. As the pregnancy progressed, her
calcium levels stabilized. Calcitriol was discontinued at 26
weeks’ gestation when her calcium reached 2.5 mmol/L.
By 30 weeks, the alfacalcidol dose was reduced to 3.5
mcg daily, with cholecalciferol dosing reduced to 50,000
IU OD. Her corrected calcium levels remained between 2.4 and 2.6 mmol/L until delivery. Similar reduction in
supplementation requirements was noted during her
previous pregnancy.
Conclusion
Elevated PTHrP during pregnancy likely contributed to
improved calcium homeostasis by increasing maternal
bone resorption and enhancing placental calcium transfer.
This case underscores the necessity of individualized,
dynamic adjustments to calcium and vitamin D therapy
based on rigorous biochemical monitoring for pregnant
patients with hypoparathyroidism.
Female
;
Pregnancy
;
Hypoparathyroidism
;
Placenta
3.Balancing Disease Control and Metabolic Harm: A Case of IgG4-Related Hypophysitis
Asma&rsquo ; Mohd Nazlee ; Dorothy Maria Anthony Bernard ; Siti Sanaa Wan Azman ; Siew Hui Foo
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):83-
Introduction:
Immunoglobulin G4-related hypophysitis (IgG4-RH) is a
rare fibro-inflammatory disorder affecting the pituitary
gland. Glucocorticoids remain the first-line therapy, but
their use may be complicated in patients with significant
metabolic comorbidities. We report a case of suspected
IgG4-RH presenting with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic
state (HHS), highlighting the challenges of balancing
disease control against glucocorticoid metabolic toxicity
adverse effects.
Case:
A 32-year-old female with obesity and newly diagnosed
diabetes mellitus was admitted with HHS. Prior to
admission, she reported weight fluctuations, episodic
headaches, progressive visual disturbance, and secondary
amenorrhea. Following resolution of HHS, persistent
polyuria of 10–16 L/day prompted further evaluation and led
to a diagnosis of arginine vasopressin deficiency. Anterior
pituitary hormonal work-up revealed hypogonadotropic
hypogonadism. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging
demonstrated infundibular thickening measuring 0.5 cm,
with concomitant marked bilateral parotid enlargement.
Serum IgG4 was elevated at 2.26 g/L (0.63–2.01), raising
strong suspicion for IgG4-RH with systemic involvement.
Histopathological confirmation from the parotid gland
biopsy was consistent with sialadenosis.
She was commenced on sublingual desmopressin and
cyclical sex hormone replacement therapy. Given the
provisional diagnosis of IgG4-RH, oral prednisolone 40
mg daily was initiated as a reduced induction regimen.
However, treatment was poorly tolerated, with rapid
weight gain from 93 to 100 kg and worsening glycemic
control. Prednisolone was therefore tapered rapidly
to 10 mg daily. Repeat imaging demonstrated interval
improvement in infundibular thickening, but no functional
endocrine recovery was observed.
Conclusion
This case illustrates the therapeutic challenge of managing
IgG4-RH in the setting of pre-existing metabolic syndrome.
Although glucocorticoids are effective for induction,
their metabolic adverse effects may significantly restrict treatment tolerability. Early consideration of steroidsparing agents, such as rituximab or azathioprine, may
be important to achieve remission while minimizing
glucocorticoid-related adverse effects.
Autoimmune Hypophysitis
4.Growth Against the Clock: Hormonal Therapy in Late-Diagnosed Mosaic Turner Syndrome
Asma&rsquo ; Mohd Nazlee ; Dorothy Maria Anthony Bernard ; Siti Sanaa Wan Azman ; Siew Hui Foo
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):100-101
Introduction:
Short stature and delayed puberty characterize Turner
syndrome (TS). The 2024 international clinical practice
guidelines recommend growth hormone (GH) for latediagnosed patients if epiphyses remain open. For patients
with remaining growth potential, initiating GH alongside
low-dose estrogen effectively balances linear growth with
the need for timely pubertal induction.
Case:
A 15-year-old female, born prematurely at 6 months
gestation, presented with delayed puberty, primary
amenorrhea, and short stature. Examination revealed a
height of 122 cm (<5th percentile), weight of 26 kg, with
no syndromic facies, and Tanner stage 1. Investigations
confirmed hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Metabolic
screening, including thyroid, renal, and liver profile, was
normal. Her baseline insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) was
low at 117.5 ng/mL (127.5–541.5). Karyotyping confirmed
mosaic TS (45,X/46,Xr). Her skeletal bone age was delayed
at 12 years, indicating a viable window for linear growth
prior to complete epiphyseal fusion.
Subcutaneous GH was initiated at 0.3 mg up titrated to
1.2 mg (0.45 µg/kg) daily over 4 weeks, then 1.35 mg (50
µg/kg) daily at month 5. Low-dose oral estradiol (0.5 mg
three times weekly) was introduced for pubertal induction
at month 4. After 9 months of combined GH and estrogen
therapy, the patient achieved a height increment of 6 cm,
reaching 128 cm without an adverse event. To achieve the
clinical target of a 10–15 cm increment in the first year,
her GH dose was further increased to 1.50 mg (55 µg/kg)
daily. She showed an appropriate biochemical response
with IGF-1 increased to 40.2 nmol/L (16.4–67.8) with a total
height gain of 6 cm over the first 9 months of GH therapy.
Conclusion
Concomitant GH and estrogen therapy in late-diagnosed
TS successfully induced clinically significant height gain.
This dual approach maximized the limited window for
linear growth, without delaying pubertal induction and
compromising patient’s psychosocial well-being.
Turner Syndrome
5.A rare occurrence of Premature Birth and Recurrent Acute Pulmonary Oedema in the mother due to Cushing’s Syndrome: A case report
Dorothy Maria A/p Anthony Bernard ; Ooi Xin Yi ; Hema Lata A/p Veerasamy ; Mohamed Badrulnizam Long Bidin ; See Chee Keong
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2021;36(2):200-204
Presentation of Cushing’s syndrome during pregnancy is extremely rare. We report a 21-year-old female with Cushing’s syndrome diagnosed at 23 weeks of gestation and had recurrent acute pulmonary oedema during the antepartum and postpartum period. She delivered prematurely via emergency caesarean section at 28 weeks of gestation. This case highlights the rare occurrence of recurrent acute pulmonary oedema during pregnancy and consequential premature birth in a patient with adrenal Cushing’s. She was diagnosed with adrenal Cushing’s during the postpartum period based on unsuppressed serum cortisol after overnight and low-dose dexamethasone suppression test with a suppressed ACTH. CT scan of the adrenal glands revealed a right adrenal cortical adenoma. The risk of complications in infants and mothers who suffer from Cushing’s syndrome needs to be handled carefully. The diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome in pregnant women often overlaps and is difficult to establish in early pregnancy.
Pregnancy


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail