$Unique_ID{BRK02159} $Pretitle{} $Title{Cushing's Disease} $Subject{Cushing Cushing's Disease neurosurgery pituitary gland sphenoid bone hormones thyroid ovaries blood pressure adrenal adrenocorticotropic cortisol rounded face skin neck abdomen metabolism sugar osteoporosis infection mental disturbances irradiation tumor} $Volume{} $Log{ Location and Function of the Endocrine Glands*0002901.scf} Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Cushing's Disease ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: Although I received a rather long and complete explanation of the Cushing's Illness from my own doctor, I think he went a bit faster than my mind could hold, and so I still don't know what it means. Yet I know it is serious, and hope you can explain where it comes from. Then maybe I can understand why I look the way I do. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: One of the medical geniuses of the last century was Dr. Harvey Cushing, of Cleveland Ohio, and a professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins and Harvard University. His work in neurosurgery was outstanding, and he provided medical science with a great deal of knowledge about the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is a very small, but extremely important organ that sits under the center of the brain in a small protective pocket of bone in the sphenoid bone. It has two lobes, and each produces a number of hormones that act both directly and indirectly on other body functions. Thus it acts on the thyroid, the ovaries, helps control blood pressure, and most important for you, secretes a hormone that acts on the adrenal gland. Stick with me now, for here's where it gets a bit complicated. The hormone is known as adrenocorticotropic hormone (or ACTH). It stimulates the adrenal gland to secrete cortisol, a cortisone-like hormone that is essential to the body functions. When too much ACTH is produced, as in the case of a hormone producing tumor of the pituitary, too much cortisol is released into the body, producing the condition known as Cushing's Disease. This results in a rounded "moon" like face, the development of prominent fat pads at the back of the neck (named "buffalo humps"), thin pale skin, and long purple lines (striae) across the abdomen. Problems with the metabolism of sugar, osteoporosis, reduced resistance to infection and even mental disturbances are common. The solution lies in attacking the tumor, either by removing it surgically or using high voltage irradiation to kill the cells. The surgery is demanding and is only performed in specialized centers. Now with this new explanation (which I hope helps you to understand), return to your doctor for additional explanations. This is indeed a complicated situation, so take all the time you need to get answers you understand. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.