News

Targeted Radiosurgery Suitable for Youngsters with Cushing’s Disease and Acromegaly, Study Shows

Stereotactic radiosurgery — a targeted form of radiation therapy — can effectively reduce hormone levels and control tumor progression in children and adolescents with hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas, particularly those with Cushing’s disease and acromegaly, a retrospective study shows. The study, “Outcomes after Gamma knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery in pediatric…

Even in Remission, Cushing’s Patients Have Excess Mortality, Swedish Study Says

Cushing’s disease patients in Sweden have a higher risk of death than the general Swedish population, particularly of cardiovascular complications, and that increased risk persists even in patients in remission, a large nationwide study shows. The study, “Overall and disease-specific mortality in patients with Cushing’s disease: a Swedish nationwide study,”…

Placenta-derived Hormones May Worsen Cushing’s Symptoms During Pregnancy, Case Report Says

The production of adenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by the placenta during pregnancy may complicate and worsen Cushing’s syndrome manifestations, a case report shows. The study, “Exacerbation of Cushing’s syndrome during pregnancy: stimulation of a cortisol-secreting adrenocortical adenoma by ACTH originating from the foeto-placental unit” was published in the journal Endocrinology,…

Vienna to Host RARE2019 Meeting on Rare Diseases

About 100 scientists, researchers, pharmaceutical executives, and others will converge on Austria’s capital city early next month for the 2nd International Congress on Advanced Treatments in Rare Diseases. The March 4-5 meeting, to take place at the Hilton Am Stadtpark Vienna, features 27 speakers on a variety of disorders…

GNAS Mutations May Help Identify Mechanisms of Subclinical Cushing’s, Report Suggests

Mutations in the GNAS gene might indicate patients with subclinical Cushing’s syndrome — mild cortisol elevation without physical signs of Cushing’s — whose disease is caused by distinct mechanisms of other Cushing’s syndrome patients. Screening for GNAS gene mutations may help diagnose patients with this type of Cushing’s syndrome and improve their outcomes,…

Cushing’s Syndrome Patients at More Risk of Blood-clotting Problems After Adrenal Surgery, Study Suggests

Cushing’s syndrome patients who undergo adrenal surgery are more likely to have venous thromboembolism — blood clots that originate in the veins — than patients who have the same procedure for other conditions, a study suggests. Physicians should consider preventive treatment for this complication in Cushing’s syndrome patients who are…