1. Identify Ectopic Cushing Syndrome for the Best Prognosis
The best way to manage ectopic cushing syndrome, which is caused by tumors that develop near the adrenal gland, is to identify the symptoms before the tumors become cancerous. If a diagnosis is completed in a timely manner, the tumors can be removed successfully through surgery. Symptoms include physical changes in body shape, such as a thinning of the arms and legs, a thickening of the abdomen, a full or moon-shaped face, purple stretch marks on the torso and thighs and a darkening of the skin.
Further symptoms may include headaches, personality changes or moodiness, increased urination, excessive thirst, weakness and fatigue. Women may stop having menstrual cycles, and men may become impotent.
2. Beware of Complications That may Occur After Surgery
The best course of treatment for ectopic cushing syndrome consists of surgery to remove the tumors. These tumors are most commonly located near the adrenal glands, but they can also appear in the lungs, pancreas and thyroid gland. Once you have been diagnosed with ectopic cushing syndrome, it will be necessary to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT scans on an occasional basis to identify further tumors. Once you have contracted ectopic cushing syndrome, it is very common for these tumors to reappear, even after repeated surgeries.
3. Be Positive yet Realistic
Since the tumors associated with ectopic cushing syndrome tend to recur, it's important to remain diligent in identifying and treating them. If you forego MRIs and CT scans, it will be very likely that the tumors will spread and become cancerous. It is also likely that the tumors will be so numerous that surgery is no longer a practical solution.
The spreading of tumors may be inhibited through the use of prescription medications that block the body's ability to produce cortisol. In extreme cases of ectopic cushing syndrome, these drugs may become the only option to manage this medical condition.
