POMC and hepatocellular carcinoma: High-dose administration of exogenous hormone is likely to suppress secretion of endogenous hormones, disrupting negative feedback regulatory mechanisms, and potentially resulting in abnormal hormone concentrations.26 Beardwell et al27 have described a case of a male patient where glucocorticoid therapy contributed to ectopic ACTH secretion by a peripheral tumor, and Himsworth et al28 have reported the abnormal secretion of ACTH by a hepatic carcinoma.