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Cushing syndrome due to adrenal tumor is an endocrine system disorder that occurs when there is a tumor of the adrenal gland releasing excess amounts of the hormone cortisol.
Alternative NamesAdrenal tumor - Cushing syndrome
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsCushing syndromeis caused by constant, high levels of the steroid hormone cortisol. A tumor on one of the adrenal glands causes about 15% of all cases of Cushing syndrome. Adrenal tumors release cortisol.
Adrenal tumors may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).
Noncancerous tumors that may cause Cushing syndrome include:
- Adrenal adenomas
- Micronodular hyperplasia
Cancerous tumors that may cause Cushing syndrome include:
- Adrenal carcinomas
Adrenal tumors are rare. They may develop in anyone at any age, but are much more common in adults. They are found in women more often than men.
See also:
SymptomsSymptoms usually include:
- Upper body obesity (above the waist) and thin arms and legs
- Round, red, full face (moon face)
- Slow growth rate in children
Skin changes that are often seen:
- Acne or skin infections
- Purple marks (1/2 inch or more wide), called striae, on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, and breasts
- Thin skin with easy bruising
Muscle and bone changes include:
- Backache, which occurs with routine activities
- Bone pain or tenderness
- Collection of fat between the shoulders (buffalo hump)
- Thinning of the bones, which leads to rib and spine fractures
- Weak muscles
Women often have:
- Excess hair growth on the face, neck, chest, abdomen, and thighs
- Menstrual cycle becomes irregular or stops
Men may have:
- Decreased fertility
- Decreased or no desire for sex
- Impotence
Other symptoms that may occur include:
- Mental changes, such as depression, anxiety, or changes in behavior
- Fatigue
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Increased thirst and urination
Tests to confirm Cushing syndrome:
- 24-hour urine sample to measure the following:
- Dexamethasone suppression test
- Serum cortisol levels
Tests to determine cause:
- Abdominal CT
- ACTH
- High-dose dexamethasone suppression test
Other findings may include:
- High cholesterol
- High fasting glucose
- Low bone density, seen by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
- Low serum potassium
Cushing syndrome due to an adrenal tumor is treated with surgery to remove the tumor and often the entire adrenal gland.
Glucocorticoid replacement treatment is usually needed until the other adrenal gland recovers from surgery. You may need this treatment for 9 - 12 months.
If surgery is not possible (such as in cases of adrenal cancer), medicines can be used to stop the release of cortisol. These include:
- Aminoglutethimide
- Ketoconazole
- Mifepristone
- Mitotane
Radiation therapy usually does not work for cancerous adrenal tumors and is not appropriate for noncancerous tumors.
Expectations (prognosis)Patients with an adrenal tumor who have surgery have an excellent outlook. Surgery success rates are very high with this type of tumor.
For adrenal cancer, surgery is sometimes not possible. When surgery is performed, it does not always cure the cancer.
ComplicationsCancerous adrenal tumors can spread to the liver or lungs.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you develop any symptoms of Cushing syndrome.
PreventionAppropriate treatment of adrenal tumors may reduce the risk of complications in some patients with tumor-related Cushing syndrome.
ReferencesStewart PM. The adrenal cortex. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2008:chap 14.
Cushing syndrome due to adrenal tumor is an endocrine system disorder. It occurs when a tumor of the adrenal gland releases excess amounts of the hormone cortisol.
Alternative NamesAdrenal tumor - Cushing syndrome
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsCushing syndromeis caused by constant, high levels of the steroid hormone cortisol. A tumor on one of the adrenal glands causes about 15% of all cases of Cushing syndrome. Adrenal tumors release cortisol.
Adrenal tumors may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).
Noncancerous tumors that may cause Cushing syndrome include:
- Adrenal adenomas
- Micronodular hyperplasia
Cancerous tumors that may cause Cushing syndrome include:
- Adrenal carcinomas
Adrenal tumors are rare. In children with high cortisol levels, adrenal tumors are more common than pituitary tumors or ectopic ACTH secretion. In adults, adrenal tumors are less likely to be the cause of high cortisol levels. Pituitary tumors (Cushing's disease) are more often seen in adults. Adrenal tumors are found in women more often than in men.
See also:
SymptomsSymptoms usually include:
- Upper body obesity (above the waist) and thin arms and legs
- Round, red, full face (moon face)
- Slow growth rate in children
Skin changes that are often seen:
- Acne or skin infections
- Purple marks (1/2 inch or more wide), called striae, on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, and breasts
- Thin skin with easy bruising
Muscle and bone changes include:
- Backache, which occurs with routine activities
- Bone pain or tenderness
- Collection of fat between the shoulders (buffalo hump)
- Rib and spine fractures (caused by thinning of the bones)
- Weak muscles
Women often have:
- Excess hair growth on the face, neck, chest, abdomen, and thighs
- Menstrual cycle that becomes irregular or stops
Men may have:
- Decreased or no desire for sex
- Impotence
Other symptoms that may occur include:
- Mental changes, such as depression, anxiety, or changes in behavior
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Increased thirst and urination
Tests to confirm Cushing syndrome:
- 24-hour urine sample to measure the following:
- Dexamethasone suppression test
- Serum cortisol levels
Tests to determine cause:
- Abdominal CT
- ACTH
- High-dose dexamethasone suppression test
Other findings may include:
- High cholesterol
- High fasting glucose
- Low bone density, seen by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
- Low serum potassium
Cushing syndrome due to an adrenal tumor is treated with surgery to remove the tumor and often the entire adrenal gland.
Glucocorticoid replacement treatment is usually needed until the other adrenal gland recovers from surgery. You may need this treatment for 9 - 12 months.
If surgery is not possible (such as in cases of adrenal cancer), medicines can be used to stop the release of cortisol. These include:
- Aminoglutethimide
- Ketoconazole
- Mifepristone
- Mitotane
Radiation therapy usually does not work for cancerous adrenal tumors and is not appropriate for noncancerous tumors.
Expectations (prognosis)Patients with an adrenal tumor who have surgery have an excellent outlook. Surgery success rates are very high with this type of tumor.
For adrenal cancer, surgery is sometimes not possible. When surgery is performed, it does not always cure the cancer.
ComplicationsCancerous adrenal tumors can spread to the liver or lungs.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you develop any symptoms of Cushing syndrome.
PreventionAppropriate treatment of adrenal tumors may reduce the risk of complications in some patients with tumor-related Cushing syndrome.
ReferencesStewart PM, Krone NP. The adrenal cortex. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2011:chap 15.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 12/11/2011
Nancy J. Rennert, MD, Chief of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Norwalk Hospital, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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What is a probable etiology of cushing syndrome?
One probable etiology of Cushing syndrome is the prolonged exposure to high levels of the hormone cortisol, either due to an excess production by the adrenal glands (Cushing's disease) or as a result of external factors such as steroid medication use or tumors in other parts of the body.
What is the excessive production of glucocorticoids caused by hypersecretion of the adrenal cortex?
Excessive production of glucocorticoids due to hypersecretion of the adrenal cortex is known as Cushing's syndrome. This can be caused by various factors such as adrenal tumors or prolonged use of corticosteroid medications. Symptoms may include weight gain, high blood pressure, and muscle weakness. Treatment options depend on the underlying cause and may include surgery or medications to help regulate hormone levels.
What is probable etiology of Cushing Syndrome?
The most common cause for Cushing's syndrome is iatrogenic, meaning it is a side effect of a medication given by their doctor, but it could also be caused by Cushing's disease (a pituitary adenoma), adrenal gland tumors, or due to hormones secreted by certain types of cancers.
Ectopic Cushing syndrome?
DefinitionEctopic Cushing syndrome is a condition in which a tumor outside the pituitary or adrenal glandsproduces a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).Alternative NamesCushing syndrome - ectopicCauses, incidence, and risk factorsCushing syndromeis the result of too much glucocorticoid hormones being released over a long period of time. About 15% of Cushing syndrome cases are due to ectopic Cushing syndrome.Ectopic Cushing syndrome is caused by tumors that release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Other causes of Cushing syndrome are:Excess release of ACTH by the pituitary glandLong-term use of corticosteroid drugs (commonly used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma)Tumor of the adrenal glandTumors that can, in rare cases, release ACTH include:Islet cell tumors of the pancreasMedullary carcinoma of the thyroidSmall cell tumors of the lungTumors of the thymus glandSymptomsEctopic Cushing syndrome tends to have fewer dramatic symptoms than classic Cushing syndrome, but it can occur with higher blood pressure and a lower potassium level. Weight loss may occur due to cancer.Symptoms of Cushing syndrome are:Abdomen sticks out; arms and legs are thin (central obesity)Acne or minor skin infectionsBuffalo humpHeadacheImpotence (in men)Increased urinationMenstrual cycle stops (in women)Mental changesPurple stretch marks on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, and breastsRound, red, and full face (moon face)Tanning or darkening of the skinThirstWeaknessSigns and testsTests that may be done include:24-hour urine for cortisol and creatinineBlood tests to check ACTH, cortisol, and potassium levelsDexamethasone suppression testFasting glucoseMRI and CT scans to find tumorsTreatmentThe best treatment for ectopic Cushing syndrome is surgery to remove the tumor. Surgery is usually possible when the tumor is noncancerous (benign).In some cases, the tumor is cancerous and spreads to other areas of the body before the health care provider can discover the problem with cortisol production. Surgery may not be possible in these cases, but the doctor may prescribe drugs to block cortisol production.Expectations (prognosis)Surgery to remove the tumor may lead to full recovery, but there is a chance that the tumor will come back.ComplicationsThe tumor may spread or return after surgery. High cortisol levels may continue.Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you develop symptoms of Cushing syndrome.PreventionPrompt treatment of tumors may reduce the risk in some cases. Many cases are not preventable.ReferencesArnaldi G, Angeli A, Atkinson AB, et al. Diagnosis and complications of Cushing's syndrome: A consensus statement. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003;88:5595-5602.Stewart PM. The adrenal cortex. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 14.
What is the medical term meaning benign tumor of the adrenal medulla that causes the gland to produce excess epinephrine and norepinephrine?
The medical term for a benign tumor of the adrenal medulla that produces excess epinephrine and norepinephrine is a pheochromocytoma. This tumor can lead to symptoms such as high blood pressure, palpitations, and sweating due to the overproduction of these hormones. Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the tumor.
Cushing syndrome?
DefinitionCushing syndrome is a disorder that occurs when your body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol. It may also occur if you take too much cortisol or other steroid hormones.See also: Cushing's disease (pituitary Cushing's)Alternative NamesHypercortisolismCauses, incidence, and risk factorsCushing syndrome may be caused by taking too much corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone and prednisolone. These drugs are used to treat conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.Other people develop Cushing syndrome because their bodies produce too much cortisol, a hormone normally made in the adrenal gland. Causes of too much cortisol are:Cushing's disease, when the pituitary gland makes too much of the hormone ACTH. ACTH then signals the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Tumor of the pituitary gland may cause this condition.Tumor of the adrenal glandTumor elsewhere in the body that produces cortisolTumors elsewhere in the body that produce ACTH (such as the pancreas, lung, and thyroid)SymptomsMost people with Cushing syndrome will have:Upper body obesity (above the waist) and thin arms and legsRound, red, full face (moon face)Slow growth rate in childrenSkin changes that are often seen:Acne or skin infectionsPurple marks (1/2 inch or more wide) called striae on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, and breastsThin skin with easy bruisingMuscle and bone changes include:Backache, which occurs with routine activitiesBone pain or tendernessCollection of fat between the shoulders (buffalo hump)Thinning of the bones, which leads to rib and spine fracturesWeak musclesWomen with Cushing syndrome often have:Excess hair growth on the face, neck, chest, abdomen, and thighsMenstrual cycle becomes irregular or stopsMen may have:Decreased fertilityDecreased or no desire for sexImpotenceOther symptoms that may occur with this disease:Mental changes, such as depression, anxiety, or changes in behaviorFatigueHeadacheHigh blood pressureIncreased thirst and urinationSigns and testsBlood sugar and white blood cell counts may be high. Potassium level may be low.Laboratory tests that may be done to diagnose Cushing syndrome and identify the cause are:Serum cortisol levelsSalivary cortisol levelsDexamethasone suppression test24-hour urine for cortisol and creatinineACTH levelACTH (cosyntropin) stimulation testTests to determine the cause or complications may include:Abdominal CTACTH testPituitary MRIBone density, as measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)High cholesterol, including high triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) may also be present.TreatmentTreatment depends on the cause.Cushing syndrome caused by corticosteroid use:Slowly decrease the drug dose (if possible) under medical supervision.If you cannot stop taking the medication because of disease, your high blood sugar, high cholesterol levels, and bone thinning or osteoporosisshould be closely monitored.Cushing syndrome caused by a pituitary tumor or tumor that releases ACTH:Surgery to remove the tumorRadiation after removal of a pituitary tumor (in some cases)You may need hydrocortisone (cortisol) replacement therapy after surgery, and possibly continued throughout your lifeCushing syndrome due to an adrenal tumor or other tumors:Surgery to remove the tumorIf the tumor cannot be removed, medications to help block the release of cortisolExpectations (prognosis)Removing the tumor may lead to full recovery, but there is a chance that the condition will return.Survival for people with ectopic tumors depends on the tumor type. Untreated, Cushing syndrome can be life-threatening.ComplicationsDiabetesEnlargement of pituitary tumorFractures due to osteoporosisHigh blood pressureKidney stonesSerious infectionsCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have symptoms of Cushing syndrome.ReferencesStewart PM. The adrenal cortex. In: Kronenberg HM, Shlomo M, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2008:chap 14.Carroll T, Raff H, Findling JW. Late-night salivary control measurement in the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2008;4:344-350.
What syndrome is a disorder of the adrenal to excessive production of aldosteroneglands due?
Reduction is addison's disease Exessive is conn's disease
How are adrenal gland tumors treated?
Adrenal gland tumors can be treated with surgery to remove the tumor. If the tumor is cancerous, additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be needed. In some cases, targeted therapy or medications to manage symptoms caused by the tumor may be used.
What syndrome is a disorder of the adrenal glands due to excessive production of aldosterone?
The syndrome you are referring to is called primary aldosteronism (or Conn's syndrome). It is characterized by the overproduction of aldosterone from the adrenal glands, leading to high blood pressure and low potassium levels. Treatment involves managing blood pressure and correcting electrolyte imbalances.
What causes addison's disease?
most common cause of Addison's disease is the destruction and/or shrinking (atrophy) of the adrenal cortex. In about 70% of all cases, this atrophy is believed to occur due to an autoimmune disorder
What are the symptoms of neuroendocrine tumors?
Many of the symptoms of carcinoid tumor are due to the hormones that the tumor secretes. These hormones can affect the whole body and cause what is referred to as carcinoid syndrome. The most common symptom.
Why are patients suffering with cushings syndrome overweight?
AnswerCushing's Syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by an abnormally high circulating level of corticosteroid hormones. It may be produced by an adrenal gland tumor causing excessive secretion of corticosteroids, a prolonged administration of corticosteroid drugs, or by an enlargement of both adrenal glands, due to a pituitary tumor (known as Cushings disease). Corticosteroid drugs are widely used for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma.Cushing's syndrome may occur at any age, but is most common in middle age. Most cases today are caused by excessive, prolonged use of corticosteroid drugs, but these cases are usually mild. The patient is often described as having cushingoid features rather than full-blown Cushing's syndrome. Cushings is more likely to strike women than men, but a small percentage of men do get it.Symptoms of Cushing's syndrome: face appears round and red, the trunk tends to become obese with a humped upper back and the limbs become wasted. Acne may develop and purple stretch marks may appear on the abdomen, thighs and breasts. The skin is thin and bruises easily. The bones become weakened and are at increased risk of fracturing. Women may become increasingly hairy. The patients are more susceptible to infection and may suffer from stomach or duodenal ulcers. Mental changes often occur, including depression, paranoia and sometimes euphoria. Insomnia may be a problem. Patients may develop hypertension and edema. About one-fifth of all patients develop diabetes mellitus. In children, Cushing's syndrome can suppress growth.
