Cushing’s disease

Proven content

Cushing’s disease is a specific type of hyperfunction of the anterior pituitary gland, secondary to the growth of the adrenal cortex and the increased secretion of their hormone (cortisol). The most common cause of the disease is pituitary microadenoma. This ailment is relatively rare, women suffer more often than men.

Characteristics of Cushing’s disease

Cushing’s disease is very often confused with Cushing’s syndrome. Both diseases produce large amounts of ACHT (adrenocorticotropic hormone), but the causes are quite different. Cushing’s disease is a type of overactivity of the anterior pituitary gland. The disease is caused by a benign tumor of the pituitary gland located in the middle cranial fossa. The disease is relatively rare, but it is worth mentioning that women get sick much more often than men.

Cushing’s Disease Causes

The main cause of Cushing’s disease is believed to be a benign tumor of the pituitary gland. Normally, the pituitary gland secretes the hormone ACHT to stimulate the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. In turn, cortisol is a hormone that plays an important role in the body, but its excessive secretion is disadvantageous. Too much cortisol causes symptoms known as Cushing’s disease.

Symptoms of Cushing’s disease

Cushing’s disease is characterized by:

1. obesity located on the face (neck, torso),
2. cyanotic skin stretch marks, especially on the lower abdomen, but can also occur on the medial side of the arms and thighs
3. arterial hypertension,
4. sometimes also with sexual dysfunction (menstrual disorders in women, sexual coldness in women and men),
5. diabetes,
6. thinning bones,
7. swollen eyelids
8. acne and seborrhea,
9. blushes on the cheeks of women,
10. bone pains,
11. reduced immunity,
12. mood swings,
13. excessive amount of hair in women,
14. muscle weakness.

Diagnosis of Cushing’s disease

In the diagnosis of Cushing’s disease, it is important to conduct tests to determine the excess of cortisol in the body, while excluding its drug-related origin. Doctors also recommend other tests to find out the cause of excess cortisol, such as:

1. biochemical tests such as:

– imaging examination;

– stimulation test with intravenous administration of corticoliberin;

– Inhibition test by taking oral dexamethasone (8 mg) for two days during a hospital visit;

– determination of serum ACHT concentration: levels above 10-20 pg / ml indicate Cushing’s disease.

1. imaging examination in the form of:

– contrast magnetic resonance imaging: this is an examination of the pituitary gland to visualize the tumor. As for computed tomography, it is ineffective due to the small size of the cortisol-secreting tumor.

Treatment of Cushing’s disease

Treatment of Cushing’s disease is based on surgical destruction of the adenoma by the sphenoid sinus using ionizing rays or a laser. Before the operation is performed, the patient is given adrenal steroidogenesis blockers to reduce the fragility of the vessels and the risk of complications.

Is it possible to recover completely?

Postoperative patients should be under constant endocrinological care, as there is a risk of disease recurrence. Regular blood tests and scans should also be performed to check for a relapse. There are currently no known methods of preventing Cushing’s disease.

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