Cushing's syndrome - adrenal tumor

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Endocrine glands Adrenal metastases, CT scan Adrenal Tumor - CT

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Cushing's syndrome - adrenal tumor

• Moon face (round, red, and full)
• Weight gain
  • Buffalo hump (a collection of fat between the shoulders)
  • Central obesity with protruding abdomen and thin extremities
• Skin changes
  • Thinning of the skin
  • Easy bruising
  • Acne or superficial skin infections
  • Purple striations on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, and breasts
• High blood pressure
• Weakness (often noticed when trying to stand up or to raise hand above head)
• Backache
• Headache
• Thirst
• Increased urination
• Mental changes, including euphoria not linked to a life event
• Cessation of menses in women
• Breast development and impotence in men

Patients with adrenal carcinoma may also have symptoms of excess androgen, including excessive hair in unusual parts of the body (in women), acne, and scalp hair loss.

Tests to confirm Cushing's syndrome:

• 24-hour urine sample to measure the following:
  • Urine cortisol
  • Urine creatinine
• Dexamethasone suppression test
• Serum cortisol levels
• Saliva cortisol levels

Tests to determine cause:

• ACTH (low normal or undetectable)
• High-dose dexamethasone suppression test
• Abdominal CT (may show adrenal mass)

Other findings may include:

• Elevated fasting glucose
• Low serum potassium
• Low bone density by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
• Elevated cholesterol

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