News

Rare case of woman with adrenal Cushing’s, acromegaly reported

The rare case of Cushing’s syndrome due to a cortisol-producing adrenal tumor and acromegaly that resulted from a growth-hormone-producing tumor in the pituitary gland was described in a recent report. Acromegaly occurs when the pituitary gland produces excessive amounts of growth hormone during adulthood, resulting in…

Case of exogenous Cushing’s tied to accidental use of glucocorticoid

A 66-year-old woman developed exogenous Cushing’s syndrome — when the disease is unintentionally caused by medications — after accidentally taking a glucocorticoid prescribed for her husband, according to a case report. Exogenous Cushing’s syndrome is the most common form of the condition, but usually is triggered by the use…

Urgent response advised for Cushing’s due to pancreatic tumors

Two unusual cases of Cushing’s syndrome caused by pancreatic tumors that had spread to the liver were described in a recent report, highlighting the importance of assessing the presence of Cushing’s in people with pancreatic tumors who continue to show signs of the disorder. The disorder, called ectopic ACTH syndrome…

Doctors see Cushing’s symptoms as considerable, favor better therapies

A survey of U.S. doctors treating people with Cushing’s syndrome noted a considerable burden of symptoms, ranging from fatigue to muscle weakness, that weigh on patients’ life quality and personal finances, and a need for better treatments. These endocrinologists  — physicians who specialize in disorders affecting hormone-producing glands — also…

High cortisol levels, being male raise risk of blood clots

Being male, having high cortisol levels at the time of Cushing’s diagnosis, and undergoing multiple surgeries were identified as key factors linked to a high risk of blood clots in people with Cushing’s, according to data from a large European registry. Preventive anti-blood clotting protocols varied across treatment centers,…

More biomarkers needed to support Cushing’s syndrome diagnosis

More biomarkers are necessary for the differential diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome subtypes in children and adolescents, as well as to predict disease progression more effectively — allowing for quicker and less invasive assessments of patients. That’s according to the results of a new, large, observational study, which also reported on…

Diabetes med metformin studied as Cushing’s treatment

Metformin, a medicine used mostly to treat type 2 diabetes, eased the signs of Cushing’s disease in cells and in a mouse model, a study showed. “These findings suggest metformin as a potential drug for the treatment of Cushing’s disease,” researchers wrote in the study, “Metformin…