Treatment depends on the cause
Benign tumor of the pituitary gland
The treatment of Cushing’s disease usually consists of removing the benign tumor through the nose using an endoscopic procedure. If surgery is not possible or the symptoms do not improve after the procedure, various other procedures can be considered, which are discussed individually in a specialized board.
Tumor in the adrenal cortex
As a rule, the affected adrenal gland is surgically removed. For smaller tumors this can be done laparoscopically, for larger or malignant tumors through a skin incision.
Hormone-producing tumor elsewhere (ectopic Cushing’s syndrome)
If the hypercortisolism is caused by a tumor in another organ, an operation is usually performed to remove it.
Experienced treatment team
Due to the rarity of Cushing’s syndrome, it makes sense to have the treatment carried out in a center hospital, such as the USZ. We form an interdisciplinary and experienced treatment team from various specialist areas (anesthesia, endocrinology, visceral surgery and nuclear medicine) to provide you with optimal care before, during and after the operation.
Further information on the pituitary and adrenal gland diseases network
Aftercare
After successful removal of the tumor, hormone replacement therapy is initially necessary in all cases until the body’s own production has recovered.
If surgery is not an option or the Cushing’s syndrome is severe, medication can help. Effective agents against hypercortisolism include metopirone, ketoconazole or mitotane.
It can take up to several months until the normalization of the cortisol level leads to a regression of all signs of Cushing’s syndrome. As a result, regular and usually longer-term follow-up checks are necessary.
