Ectopic Cushing’s syndrome

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Endocrine glands

Cushing's syndrome - ectopic

The best treatment for ectopic Cushing's syndrome is surgical removal of the tumor. This is usually possible when the tumor is benign (noncancerous).

However, many tumors are malignant (cancerous), and have metastasized (spread to other areas of the body) before cortisol excess has been diagnosed,. Surgical removal is not possible in these situations, and drugs to suppress cortisol secretion may be given. They include: ketoconazole, aminoglutethimide, and metyrapone.

Surgical removal of the tumor may lead to full recovery, but there is a chance of the tumor coming back. Survival for people with ectopic tumors depends upon the outcome associated with the particular tumor type.

• the tumor may spread
• excess cortisol may continue

Call your health care provider if symptoms of Cushing's syndrome appear.

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.