Treatment:

Cushing syndrome due to an adrenal tumor is treated with surgery to remove the tumor and often the entire adrenal gland.

Glucocorticoid replacement treatment is usually needed until the other adrenal gland recovers from surgery. You may need this treatment for 9 - 12 months.

If surgery is not possible (such as in cases of adrenal cancer), medicines can be used to stop the release of cortisol. These include:

• Aminoglutethimide
• Ketoconazole
• Mifepristone
• Mitotane

Radiation therapy usually does not work for cancerous adrenal tumors and is not appropriate for noncancerous tumors.

Expectations (prognosis):

Patients with an adrenal tumor who have surgery have an excellent outlook. Surgery success rates are very high with this type of tumor.

For adrenal cancer, surgery is sometimes not possible. When surgery is performed, it does not always cure the cancer.

Complications:

Cancerous adrenal tumors can spread to the liver or lungs.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you develop any symptoms of Cushing syndrome.