Cushing’s disease is an endocrine disease that occurs when too much cortisol is in the blood due to excessive ACTH, adrenocorticotrophich hormone. The pituitary is responsible for this anomaly. ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol. This disease is most common in those aged 20-70 and is most likely to be women.
Cushing’s disease is not the same as Cushing Syndrome. Cushing’s disease is a direct cause of a pituitary tumor, most likely a pituitary adenoma. Cushing's syndrome mostly means that there is an increased cortisol level, however a pituitary tumor is not the cause. There are many reasons that the body can secrete too much cortisol. Common symptoms of Cushing's disease include skin changes/bruising, weight gain including added fat on the back of the neck, decreased fertility and sex drive, high blood pressure, diabetes, and mood or behavior disorders.
Early signs of Cushing’s disease often go unnoticed because they come on slowly. The first thing most physicians do to determine Cushing’s disease is to do a blood test to determine elevated cortisol in the blood stream. Once Cushing’s Disease is suspected, an MRI is performed. MRI is about 70% accurate in diagnosing this disease.
The only cure for this disorder is transsphenoidal surgery to remove the tumor. If the tumor has not spread to other structures, the cure rate is about 80-85%. Medication is an alternative to surgery. They can be used to help inhibit ACTH production.
Cushing’s disease is not the same as Cushing Syndrome. Cushing’s disease is a direct cause of a pituitary tumor, most likely a pituitary adenoma. Cushing's syndrome mostly means that there is an increased cortisol level, however a pituitary tumor is not the cause. There are many reasons that the body can secrete too much cortisol. Common symptoms of Cushing's disease include skin changes/bruising, weight gain including added fat on the back of the neck, decreased fertility and sex drive, high blood pressure, diabetes, and mood or behavior disorders.
Early signs of Cushing’s disease often go unnoticed because they come on slowly. The first thing most physicians do to determine Cushing’s disease is to do a blood test to determine elevated cortisol in the blood stream. Once Cushing’s Disease is suspected, an MRI is performed. MRI is about 70% accurate in diagnosing this disease.
The only cure for this disorder is transsphenoidal surgery to remove the tumor. If the tumor has not spread to other structures, the cure rate is about 80-85%. Medication is an alternative to surgery. They can be used to help inhibit ACTH production.
During the scan you will be alone in the exam room, but you can talk to and listen to the technologist using an intercom, who will watch you through a glass window and video camera.
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