Climacteric flushing in a patient with carcinoid tumour.

A 70-year-old man had frequent flushing attacks and a carcinoid tumour was verified histologically. The characteristics of his flushing reaction were typical of climacteric flushing and he had undergone orchiectomy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate 2 years ago. Laboratory studies indicated a normal production of serotonin and excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. A rapid and complete remission of the flushing attacks was obtained with oral diethylstilbesterol therapy. Thus, although the patient had a carcinoid tumour, he was having post-orchiectomy climateric flushing reactions.