Cushing's syndrome - adrenal tumor

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Endocrine glands

Adrenal metastases, CT scan

Cushing's syndrome - adrenal tumor

Treatment:

Cushing's syndrome due to an adrenal tumor is treated by surgical removal of the tumor (which often includes removal of the gland as well). Glucocorticoid replacement therapy is usually required until the other adrenal gland recovers from surgery. Glucocorticoid therapy may be required 9 to 12 months.

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If surgery is not possible, particularly with cases of adrenal carcinoma, medications can suppress the secretion of cortisol:

Mitotane
Ketoconazole
Aminoglutethimide
Metyrapone

Radiation therapy is rarely effective in patients with adrenal carcinoma and is usually not appropriate for adrenal adenoma.

Expectations (prognosis):

Patients with adrenal adenoma who undergo surgery have an excellent prognosis. Surgery success rates are very high with this type of tumor.

For adrenal carcinoma, surgery is sometimes not possible. When surgery is performed, it does not always cure the cancer. Survival time ranges from 14 to 36 months after diagnosis of adrenal carcinoma.

Complications:

Adrenal carcinoma can result in metastasis (spread) of the tumor to the liver or lungs.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you develop any symptoms of Cushing's syndrome.