Cushings Disease

Cushing's disease is when a pituitary tumor is associated with hypersecretion of pituitary ACTH, which causes too much cortisol production by the adrenal glands. It is not very common but significant in that it affects as many as 4,000 people each year in the United States.

Symptoms for Cushing's disease include:

• Easy bruising
• Muscle weakness
• Purple stretch marks
• Rapid and unexplained weight gain with a rounder face and abdomen often with thin legs or extremities
• Increased fat in your neck and above your collar bone and upper back
• Memory loss/not being able to think as well
• Menstrual cycle disorders
• Skin changes and red cheeks
• Osteoporosis
• Depression.
• Mood and behavior disorders
• High blood sugar levels
• Hypertension

Treatment for Cushing's disease :

Each person with Cushing's disease needs his or her own treatment, which may mean a combination of medication, surgery, and radiation. The first line therapy is surgical and cure rates with an experienced neurosurgeon are over 90 percent. A patient will typically have transsphenoidal microsurgery (through the nasal sinuses).

Patients who are not cured but have proven pituitary Cushing's usually have repeat surgery. When not effective, radiation therapy may treat any remaining tumor mass Medication to block the adrenal glands is typically used while waiting for the radiation to have an effect. Rarely, the adrenal glands are removed. Your doctor may prescribe additional medication to treat high blood pressure, high glucose levels, or additional problems brought on by Cushing's.