Patient Education - Endocrine Encyclopedia
Endocrine Surgery Encyclopedia
Definition:
Cushing's syndrome is a disease caused by increased production of cortisol, or by
excessive use of cortisol or other steroid hormones.
Alternative Names: Hypercortisolism
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Cushing's syndrome is a condition that results from an excess of cortisol, a hormone
produced by the adrenal glands. The most common cause of Cushing's syndrome is Cushing's
disease, caused by excessive production of the hormone ACTH by the pituitary gland.
ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.
Cushing's syndrome can be caused by a tumor of the pituitary gland, a tumor of
the adrenal gland, a tumor somewhere other than the pituitary or adrenal glands (ectopic
Cushing's syndrome), or by long-term use of corticosteroids (drugs commonly used
to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma).
Risk factors for Cushing's syndrome are adrenal or pituitary tumors, long-term
therapy with corticosteroids, and being female.
See also:
- Cushing's disease (pituitary Cushing's)
- Cushing's syndrome - exogenous
- ectopic Cushing's syndrome
- Cushing's syndrome caused by adrenal tumor
Symptoms:
- moon face (round, red, and full)
- buffalo hump (a collection of fat between the shoulders)
- central obesity with protruding abdomen and thin extremities
- weight gain (unintentional)
- weakness
- backache
- headache
- acne or superficial skin infections
- thin skin with easy bruising
- thirst
- increased urination
- purple striations on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, and breasts
- mental changes
- impotence or cessation of menses
- facial hair growth
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
- skin spots, red
- skin blushing / flushing
- muscle atrophy
- fatigue
- bone pain or tenderness
- high blood pressure
Signs and tests:
Tests to confirm high cortisol level:
- cortisol, urine
- dexamethasone suppression test
- serial serum cortisol levels
Tests to determine the cause:
- ACTH
- cranial MRI or cranial CT scan may show pituitary tumor
- abdominal CT may show adrenal mass
- General findings:
- glucose test is elevated
- potassium test may be low
- white blood cell count may be elevated
Treatment:
Treatment depends upon the cause of the disorder. In Cushing's syndrome caused by
drug therapy with corticosteroids, the drug dose must be slowly decreased under medical
supervision.
In Cushing's disease caused by a pituitary tumor, surgery to remove the tumor
is recommended. Radiation is sometimes needed as well. Hydrocortisone (cortisol)
replacement therapy is needed after surgery. In some cases, life-long cortisol-replacement
therapy becomes necessary.
Cushing's syndrome caused by an adrenal tumor is usually treated by surgical removal
of the tumor. If the tumor cannot be removed, certain medications can suppress the
secretion of cortisol.
In Cushing's syndrome caused by a tumor secreting ACTH, removal of the tumor is
the best way to treat the Cushing's syndrome. Cortisol replacement therapy is needed
after surgery until cortisol production resumes. In some cases, life-long therapy
with cortisone drugs becomes necessary.
Support Groups:
Expectations (prognosis):
Tumor removal may lead to full recovery, but there is a chance of recurrence. Survival
for people with ectopic tumors depends upon the overall outcome associated with the
particular tumor type. Untreated, Cushing's syndrome can lead to death.
Complications:
- diabetes mellitus
- high blood pressure
- serious infections
- fractures due to osteoporosis
- kidney stones
- enlargement of pituitary tumor
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms develop that indicate Cushing's syndrome.
Prevention:
Cushing's syndrome may be prevented by an awareness of the associated symptoms so
that early detection can be made.
Review Date: 1/18/2006
Reviewed By: Nikheel S. Kolatkar, MD, Clinical and Research Fellow, Division of Endocrinology,
Diabetes, and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School,
Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
 A.D.A.M.,
Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission
(www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M.
follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to
achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more
about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also
a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net
Foundation (www.hon.ch).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for
the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should
be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for
all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do
not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication
or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
|
