How is Cushing syndrome treated?
Cushing syndrome (hypercortisolism) may have serious health consequences, but treatment has been shown to improve the long-term health outlook for people living with this condition. Although repeated or long-term treatment is needed, there are many options for managing Cushing syndrome.
Treatment often begins by addressing the underlying cause of Cushing syndrome—chronically elevated levels of cortisol. After diagnosis, managing the symptoms of excess cortisol is an important treatment outcome. Be sure to talk with your doctor to determine the personal goals and treatment approach.
Goals for treating Cushing syndrome include
- Providing long-term control of the signs and symptoms associated with Cushing syndrome
- Reducing the negative effects of excess cortisol activity throughout the body
- Improved quality of life
Cushing syndrome may be treated with
- Surgery
- Radiotherapy
- Medication
Learn more about a medication for people with endogenous Cushing syndrome.
Nicole's Story
“I tried taking blood pressure medication. I tried going off birth control. I even tried taking phentermine to counteract the weight gain. Nothing helped ...”
Understanding the treatment options
Select from the options below to learn more about treatment approaches for Cushing syndrome. Depending on the source of excess cortisol in your body, the treatment approach may vary.
Two surgical procedures used to treat hypercortisolism are transsphennoidal surgery and adrenalectomy.
Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS)
Overview
TSS is a surgical procedure to remove a nodule on the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain.
The surgery may be guided by a camera inserted through a small tube (endoscopy) or by using a specialized microscope designed to magnify the surgical site.
TSS is recommended as the first choice for treatment in people diagnosed with Cushing disease.
Things to consider
With TSS, the function of the pituitary gland may be preserved. This allows the body to continue producing hormones on its own without medication
Many people treated with TSS go into remission from their Cushing syndrome symptoms
In some people, TSS does not resolve Cushing syndrome
Patients who go into remission may still have recurrences (symptoms that come back) and require further treatment
Adrenalectomy
Overview
An adrenalectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or both adrenal glands, located above the kidneys.
Typically, the surgery is performed through laparoscopy (a type of minimally invasive abdominal surgery). The surgery is guided by a camera inside a thin tube inserted through a small incision in the abdomen.
Removal of both adrenal glands (bilateral adrenalectomy) is recommended only in patients with Cushing disease who have had treatment failure with TSS and radiotherapy or who are not candidates for TSS or radiotherapy.
In cases with an adrenal source, the affected adrenal gland may be removed (unilateral adrenalectomy). If both adrenal glands are affected, both glands may be removed, also known as a bilateral adrenalectomy.
Things to consider
Remission of Cushing syndrome symptoms may be achieved by removing the adrenal glands
This procedure is irreversible
People who have a bilateral adrenalectomy require lifelong medication to replace the cortisol their bodies can no longer produce
Radiotherapy
Overview
Radiotherapy is a general term that covers several different treatment techniques.
Radiation may be delivered using a precisely targeted method called stereotactic radiosurgery (this includes the “Gamma Knife” method, which uses a specialized device to administer targeted radiation to a particular site within the body). Conventional radiotherapy uses lower doses spread over multiple sessions and may also be used for people with Cushing syndrome.
Radiation may be administered on a single occasion or during multiple sessions.
Response to radiotherapy is evaluated by measuring cortisol levels. Cortisol levels should be periodically monitored to look for recurrences.
Radiotherapy is recommended for people diagnosed with Cushing disease who:
Are not candidates for TSS
Were unsuccessful with TSS
Experienced a recurrence of symptoms after TSS
Things to consider
Radiotherapy is effective for treating the growths that cause Cushing disease and may help prevent these growths from coming back
Treatment may take some time to begin working. It is not uncommon for people to continue experiencing symptoms for a long time before seeing results from radiotherapy
There is some risk of the pituitary becoming inactive and no longer releasing necessary hormones
Medical therapy
Overview
Medication may play an important role in the treatment of Cushing syndrome. Sometimes medication may be used before surgery to help control symptoms or to confirm whether Cushing syndrome is the underlying cause of symptoms. Medication may also be used if a person is not eligible for surgery, has failed surgery, or has experienced a recurrence following surgery. For patients receiving radiotherapy, medication is sometimes used supportively as the effects of radiotherapy are not immediate.
Some ways that different medications may work are:
Blocking the adrenal glands from producing cortisol
Blocking or controlling hormones that signal the adrenal glands to produce cortisol
Competing with cortisol at glucocorticoid receptors throughout the body to reduce cortisol activity
Things to consider
Because medical therapies work differently to control cortisol in the body, there may be additional considerations for specific medical treatments. When considering medical therapy, you may think about the following:
Medication is noninvasive and may be stopped if not tolerated
Medication must be taken for the rest of your life to be effective (unless surgery or radiotherapy are performed successfully)
Some people may experience negative side effects from treatment. Frequent monitoring may be required
Learn more about a medication for people with endogenous Cushing syndrome.
Living with Cushing syndrome
Staying in control of cortisol is important to prevent the complications and risks associated with untreated Cushing syndrome.
Even if Cushing syndrome goes into remission, frequent health checkups are recommended to monitor remission status.
If you have been treated for Cushing syndrome, be sure to speak to your doctor about any new or worsening health problems that may mean your Cushing syndrome has come back. Signs to monitor may include:
Worsening type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Osteoporosis (fracture/bone fragility)
Weight gain
Easy bruising