Cushing syndrome due to adrenal tumor

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Adrenal metastases, CT scan

Adrenal Tumor - CT

Endocrine glands

Adrenal tumor - Cushing syndrome

Cushing syndrome due to an adrenal tumor is treated by surgically removing 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 to 12 months.

If surgery is not possible (such as in cases of adrenal cancer), medicines can be used to suppress the release of cortisol. These include:

• Mitotane
• Ketoconazole
• Aminoglutethimide
• Metyrapone

Radiation therapy usually does not work for cancerous adrenal tumors and is not appropriate for non-cancerous ones.

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. Survival time ranges from 14 to 36 months after being diagnosed with a cancerous adrenal tumor.

Cancerous adrenal tumors can result in the spread of cancer to the liver or lungs.

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

Review Date: 08/08/2006
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.