Cushing’s Awareness Challenge, Day Eight

Posted on April 8, 2014 by MaryO

It’s Here!

 

Dr. Cushing was born in Cleveland Ohio. The fourth generation in his family to become a physician, he showed great promise at Harvard Medical School and in his residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital (1896 to 1900), where he learned cerebral surgery under William S. Halsted

After studying a year in Europe, he introduced the blood pressure sphygmomanometer to the U.S.A. He began a surgical practice in Baltimore while teaching at Johns Hopkins Hospital (1901 to 1911), and gained a national reputation for operations such as the removal of brain tumors. From 1912 until 1932 he was a professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School and surgeon in chief at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, with time off during World War I to perform surgery for the U.S. forces in France; out of this experience came his major paper on wartime brain injuries (1918). In addition to his pioneering work in performing and teaching brain surgery, he was the reigning expert on the pituitary gland since his 1912 publication on the subject; later he discovered the condition of the pituitary now known as “Cushing’s disease“.

Read more about Dr. Cushing

Today, April 8th, is Cushing’s Awareness Day. Please wear your Cushing’s ribbons, t-shirts, awareness bracelets or Cushing’s colors (blue and yellow) and hand out Robin’s wonderful Awareness Cards to get a discussion going with anyone who will listen.

And don’t just raise awareness on April 8.  Any day is a good day to raise awareness.

 

robin-harvey

 

 

MaryO

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Cushing’s Patient Awareness Day Invitation

Posted on January 8, 2014 by MaryO

patient-day-sf

 

 

Location: Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf 2500 Mason Street, San Francisco, California

The goal of the program is to Educate, Empower and Support. We will:
-Provide education on how Cushing’s Syndrome affects your body
-Share information and educational resources
-Enhance your support and referral network

The day will focus on endogenous Cushing’s, a condition caused by high cortisol in your body. The day will not cover exogenous Cushing’s caused by steroids taken for various health conditions including asthma, arthritis or lupus.

Hosted by Kate Tully, R.N. and Katherine Waidner, R.N.
Cushing’s Patient Advocates-Corcept Therapeutics

 

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Outcome of Bilateral Adrenalectomy in Cushing’s Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Posted on October 5, 2013 by MaryO
  1. Katrin Ritzel,
  2. Felix Beuschlein,
  3. Anne Mickisch,
  4. Andrea Osswald,
  5. Harald J. Schneider,
  6. Jochen Schopohl and
  7. Martin Reincke

–Author Affiliations


  1. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, D-80336 München, Germany
  1. Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Martin Reincke, M.D., Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Ziemssenstrasse 1, D-80336 München, Germany. E-mail:Martin.Reincke@med.uni-muenchen.de.

Abstract

Background: The outcome of bilateral adrenalectomy (BADx) in patients with Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is not well characterized.

Methods: A literature search was performed with the search terms “bilateral adrenalectomy” or “total adrenalectomy” and “Cushing’s” or “Cushing.” Immediate and long-term outcomes after BADx in CS were analyzed using descriptive statistics (median [range]).

Results: From 549 screened publications, 37 studies met inclusion criteria (1320 patients, 82% having Cushing’s disease [CD], 13% having ectopic CS, and 5% having primary adrenal hyperplasia).

Surgical morbidity and mortality of BADx (23 studies, 739 patients) were 18% (6–31) and 3% (0–15), respectively. In patients with CD, surgical mortality was below 1%. Although residual cortisol secretion due to accessory adrenal tissue or adrenal remnants was found in 3–34% (5 studies, 236 patients), less than 2% had a relapse of CS.

Symptoms of hypercortisolism (eg, hypertension, obesity, or depression) improved in the majority of the patients after BADx (7 studies, 195 patients). The number of adrenal crises per 100 patient-years was 9.3 (6 studies, 203 patients).

Nelson’s syndrome occurred in 21% (0–47) of the patients (24 studies, 768 patients). Mortality (23 studies, 690 patients) was 17% (0–88) at a follow-up of 41 months (14–294). Remarkably, 46% of the patients died in the first year after surgery. The median ages at death were 62 years (CD) and 53 years (ectopic CS).

Conclusion: BADx is relatively safe and provides adequate success. Excess mortality within the first year after surgery suggests that intensive clinical care for patients after BADx is warranted.

Footnotes

  • For editorial see page 3974

  • Abbreviations:

    BADx
    bilateral adrenalectomy
    BAH
    bilateral adrenal hypercortisolism
    CD
    Cushing’s disease
    CS
    Cushing’s syndrome
    ECS
    ectopic CS
    NS
    Nelson’s syndrome
    QOL
    quality of life
    TSS
    transsphenoidal surgery.

     

From http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/98/10/3939.abstract

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Researchers at Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes Release New Data on Cushing Syndrome

Posted on September 19, 2013 by MaryO

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Biotech Week — Research findings on Adrenal Gland Diseases are discussed in a new report. According to news reporting originating from Melbourne, Australia, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “Stereotactic radiation therapy has emerged as an alternative to conventional radiotherapy for treatment of Cushing disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of this treatment.”

Our news editors obtained a quote from the research from the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, “Records of patients with Cushing disease treated with stereotactic radiation were reviewed. Seventeen patients underwent stereotactic radiosurgery.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Ten achieved remission after a mean of 23 (95% confidence interval, 15-31) months, and two developed hormone deficiencies.”

For more information on this research see: Stereotactic radiosurgery for treatment of Cushing disease: an Australian experience. Internal Medicine Journal, 2012;42(10):1153-6. (Wiley-Blackwell – www.wiley.com/; Internal Medicine Journal – onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1445-5994)

The news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting L. Wein, Dept. of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Additional authors for this research include M. Dally and L.A Bach (see also Adrenal Gland Diseases).

Keywords for this news article include: Melbourne, Treatment, Radiotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Cushing’s Syndrome, Adrenal Gland Diseases, Australia and New Zealand.

Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world. Copyright 2013, NewsRx LLC

From http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/2013/9/18/researchers_at_department_of_endocrinology_and.htm

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Hormonal disorder may make weight loss more challenging

Posted on September 11, 2013 by MaryO

(HealthDay News) — Losing weight is never a piece of cake, but there are some medical conditions that may make it even more difficult.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says these conditions may make weight loss more of a challenge:

  • Hormonal disorders, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease and polycystic ovary syndrome.
  • Cardiovascular problems, including heart-valve disorders and congestive heart failure.
  • Disorders affecting sleep, including obstructive sleep apnea and upper airway resistance syndrome.
  • Eating disorders, such as bulimia and carbohydrate craving syndrome.

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