1. Reduce Levels of Corticosteroids
Cushing's syndrome is usually caused by prolonged use of corticosteroid medication. Your child may be taking these medications to help with asthma or other inflammatory diseases. If this is the case, you will want to lower the dosages of the drug in a safe and effective manner. Your child's doctor can help you slowly reduce the dosage while still keeping the inflammatory condition under control. Occasionally, it may be possible to eliminate the drug altogether and replace it with a non-corticosteroid drug.
2. Surgery for Tumors
Tumors are another cause of Cushing's syndrome. Tumors of the pituitary gland are the most common cause of overproduction of cortisol in the body. Your doctor will likely recommend that your child have surgery to remove the tumor completely. Pituitary tumors are usually removed through the nose.
After the surgery, your child will need to take cortisol-replacement medications. Once your child experiences normal adrenal-hormone production, your doctor will gradually wean him off the medication. In some cases, normal adrenal function never returns. In this case, your child will need lifelong cortisol-replacement therapy.
3. Using Radiation to Remove Tumors
If your child's surgeon was unable to remove the tumor completely or if your doctor decides that surgery is not appropriate for your child, radiation will be suggested. Radiation is given over a 6- to 8-week period and is more successful in children than in adults. Your doctor may decide to use radiation therapy in conjunction with drug therapy to help your child fully recover.
4. What to Do When Surgery and Radiation Don't Work
Sometimes, surgery and radiation aren't effective on their own, and your child may continue to experience symptoms. If this happens, your child will be put on medications to help normalize cortisol production. Medical therapy may also be indicated if your child is very sick and not strong enough to undergo surgery or radiation.
