The Condition"...Other causes include ... Ectopic ACTH Syndrome: Some benign or malignant tumors that arise outside the pituitary can produce ACTH..."
The Condition"...First, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain which is about the size of a small sugar cube, sends corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) to the pituitary gland..."
The Condition"Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol..." Recommendation Test Adrenal Function"A 24-Hour urinary free cortisol level is the most specific diagnostic test..."
The Condition"...This rare syndrome of cortisol resistance is a genetic condition that causes hypertension and chronic androgen excess..."
The Condition"...These include polycystic ovarian syndrome, which may cause menstrual disturbances, weight gain from adolescence, excess hair growth and sometimes impaired insulin action and diabetes..."
The Condition"...In Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type I (MEN I), hormone secreting tumors of the parathyroid glands, pancreas and pituitary occur..."
The Condition"...Treatment depends on the specific reason for cortisol excess and may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or the use of cortisol-inhibiting drugs..."
Recommendation Test Adrenal Function"...These tests could include dexamethasone suppression test, CRH stimulation test, direct visualization of the endocrine glands (radiologic imaging), petrosal sinus sampling and the dexamethasone-CRH test..."
