Diagnosis and Treatment of Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by high levels of the hormone cortisol. Elevated levels of cortisol are also referred to as hypercortisolism. True Cushing’s syndrome is uncommon, and an estimated 10 to 15 of every million people are affected each year.
Treatment at Stanford
Patients can receive an evaluation and treatment for Cushing's syndrome at the Stanford Pituitary Center.
- Outpatient Clinical Visits, Physician Referrals & Questions: (650) 736-2062
- Email: PituitaryInfo@stanfordmed.org
Signs & Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome are variable, but usually include changes in fat distribution.
- There is a tendency for fat accumulation in the upper body, which includes rounded face, increased fat around the neck, and thinning arms and legs.
- Children tend to be obese with slowed growth rates.
- The skin becomes fragile and thin, and there may be easy bruising and poor healing.
- Purplish pink stretch marks called striae may appear on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms and breasts.
- Women may have excessive hair growth on their faces and trunk and changes in the menstrual cycle.
- The bones are weakened due to osteoporosis from the hypercortisolism, and routine activities such as bending, lifting or rising from a chair may lead to backaches, rib and spinal column fractures.
- Patients describe fatigue, irritability, anxiety and depression.
- Hypertension and diabetes are also consequences of Cushing’s syndrome.
- Men may describe diminished libido and sexual performance.
Diagnosis
Laboratory evaluation is performed in a patient who has signs and/or symptoms compatible with Cushing’s syndrome. Tests include:
- 24-Hour Urinary Free Cortisol Level: this is the most specific diagnostic test. The patient will collect urine over a 24-hour period. An elevated urinary cortisol level suggests Cushing’s syndrome. Usually, this test needs to be repeated several times for confirmation.
- 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test: In this test, the patient takes 1 mg of dexamethasone and a fasting cortisol is drawn at 8AM the next day. If the blood cortisol level is not suppressed, Cushing’s syndrome is suggested.
- Salivary Cortisol: a midnight salivary cortisol, collected at home, is a relatively new, sensitive test for the presence of Cushing’s syndrome. An elevated midnight salivary cortisol level is suggestive of Cushing’s syndrome.
Cause of Cushing’s syndrome
Once hypercortisolism is confirmed, the next step is to determine the cause. Normally, the pituitary gland produces ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone), which circulates in the blood and stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Right above the pituitary gland, in the base of the brain, is the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus produces CRH (Corticotropin releasing hormone), which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce ACTH. Therefore, hypercortisolism can arise from too much CRH, ACTH; or from excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal gland.
The causes are divided into ACTH dependent and ACTH independent sources.
- ACTH dependent includes a pituitary tumor producing ACTH (referred to as Cushing’s disease and is the most common cause), and ectopic ACTH production (ACTH or CRH is produced elsewhere, such as by a carcinoid tumor or lung cancer).
- ACTH independent Cushing’s syndrome consists of an adrenal growth, either benign or malignant, producing cortisol. ACTH levels are low, undetectable if there is an adrenal source.
Next steps:
- ACTH level: this test helps distinguish an adrenal source (ACTH independent) from an ACTH dependent cause.
- High Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test
This test helps to distinguish patients with excess production of ACTH due to pituitary adenomas from those with ectopic ACTH-producing tumors. Patients are given 2.0 mg dexamethasone by mouth every 6 hours for 2 days. A 24 hour urine collection for cortisol is performed on the second day of the test. Cortisol suppression suggests a pituitary tumor. A similar test is performed using a single dose of 8.0 mg at midnight, and a fasting blood draw for cortisol the next morning. - Petrosal Sinus Sampling
This test may be required to separate pituitary from ectopic causes of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome in patients with a normal pituitary gland on brain MRI scan. Catheters are placed through a vein in the upper thigh/groin region and are threaded through the blood vessels to the petrosal sinuses, which surround the pituitary gland. ACTH levels higher in the petrosal sinuses than in a forearm vein indicate the presence of a pituitary adenoma (Cushing’s disease); similar levels suggest ectopic ACTH syndrome.
Treatment
The treatment depends on the cause of the Cushing’s syndrome.
Cushing's disease
For Cushing’s disease, (due to a pituitary tumor), the treatment is surgical removal of the tumor, known as transsphenoidal surgery. Using a special microscope and endoscope, the surgeon approaches the pituitary gland through a nostril. Because this is an extremely delicate procedure, patients are often referred to centers specializing in this type of surgery.
The success, or cure, rate of transsphenoidal surgery procedure is over 80% when performed by a surgeon with extensive experience. If surgery fails, it can be repeated, often with good results. After curative pituitary surgery, cortisol levels may drop to very low levels. Patients are often given a synthetic form of cortisol (such as hydrocortisone or prednisone) as replacement therapy, which is usually stopped within the year.
Ectopic Cushing's syndrome
If the evaluation suggests the presence of ectopic Cushing’s syndrome, then the treatment is directed to the source. For example, if a carcinoid tumor in the lung is detected, then there are several options for therapy, including surgical excision.
Adrenal Growth
If an adrenal growth is the underlying cause, then surgical removal of the abnormal adrenal gland is necessary.