Pituitary-Directed Drug Therapy for the Treatment of Cushing's Disease

Pituitary-Directed Drug Therapy for the Treatment of Cushing’s Disease

Cushing’s disease (CD) is usually the result of an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary adenoma. The result is overstimulation of the adrenal glands leading to chronic hypercortisolism. Individuals with CD have increased risks of hypertension, obesity, hyperglycemia, infections, and vascular damage. Transsphenoidal surgery of the pituitary adenoma is the preferred option in the treatment of CD. The success rates are 65- 90% for microadenomas; however, as many as 40% of patients will experience recurrence within 10 years.