Ectopic Cushing’s syndrome

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Endocrine glands

Cushing's syndrome - ectopic

Ectopic Cushing's syndrome tends to present with less dramatic features than classic Cushing's syndrome, but with higher blood pressure and lower potassium. Weight loss may be present due to underlying cancer.

Classic features of Cushing's syndrome are:

• moon face (round, red, and full)
• "buffalo hump" -- collection of fat between the shoulders
• central obesity -- protruding abdomen and thin extremities
• weakness
• headache
• acne or superficial skin infections
• thirst
• increased urination
• purple striations on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, and breasts
• mental changes
• impotence or cessation of menses (loss of menstrual periods)

Tests are done to confirm hypercortisolism, then further tests are done to determine the cause.

Tests that confirm hypercortisolism:

• a 24-hour urine for cortisol and creatinine
• a dexamethasone suppression test
• serial serum cortisol levels

• serum ACTH, elevated

• fasting glucose , elevated
• serum potassium , low

Review Date: 01/18/2006
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.