Mesothelioma associated with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone

A patient with a malignant mesothelioma developed the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. The electrolyte abnormalities were corrected by treatment with demethylchlortetracycline. Arginine vasopressin concentrations were increased in serum and urine. It is suggested that the syndrome might have been mediated by secretion of antidiuretic hormone from the posterior pituitary, because arginine vasopressin was not detected in the patient's tumor using a sensitive radioimmunoassay.