kkc, Author at CSRF - Cushing's Support & Research Foundation

Author Archives: kkc

Definition of Hypopituitarism and Panhypopituitarism

Question: What is the difference between panhypopituitarism vs. hypopituitarism? Answer: The terms are often used interchangeably. Strictly speaking, panhypopituitarism refers to loss of all pituitary function, both anterior and posterior pituitary function. However, some use this term to refer to loss of anterior pituitary function without diabetes insipidus (function of the posterior pituitary gland). Panhypopituitarism… Continue Reading

Thyroid Tumors and Cushing’s

Question: Is there any kind of a thyroid tumor or nodule that can cause Cushing’s? Answer: Almost all of cases of Cushing’s syndrome are caused by a pituitary tumor or adrenal growth. It is uncommon to have Cushing’s syndrome due to another type of tumor, called “ectopic”, and, of the ectopic types, thyroid tumors are… Continue Reading

Cushing’s and Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Question: My mother-in-law has Cushing Syndrome brought on by a tumor in the lung. Cytology shows that it is a Small Cell Lung Carcinoma. What are the pros and cons of chemotherapy? Answer: Small cell lung cancer can occasionally be a source of ectopic ACTH secretion causing Cushing’s syndrome. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be… Continue Reading

Why So Long to Get a Diagnosis?

Question: Like others, it took me a long time to obtain a correct diagnosis of Cushing’s. Why does it take so long before a doctor thinks of Cushing’s and is there anything that we can do so we are taken more seriously? Answer: There are several factors that contribute to the difficulty of a Cushing’s… Continue Reading

What is Cyclic Cushing’s?

Question: What is cyclic Cushing’s? Answer: Cyclic Cushing’s syndrome relates to the fact that the tumors responsible for Cushing’s syndrome, whether they are of pituitary, adrenal, or ectopic origin, produce their hormones in an irregular fashion. The secretion of ACTH or of cortisol is not always constant, but can rapidly fluctuate between high levels and… Continue Reading