[Cushing's syndrome. II. New forms of treatment].
Several new therapeutic options both medicinal and surgical, have emerged for the treatment of Cushing's syndrome. In Cushing's disease caused by an adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secreting pituitary adenoma, the introduction ofendoscopic pituitary surgery offers better visualization of the sella than does the traditional explorative surgery. However, at present it is unclear whether this will result in a better outcome. New drugs under investigation include universal somatostatin analogues such as SOM230, and a combination of a somatostatin analogue and dopamine agonist known as dopastatin. These agents may also be effective for the medicinal treatment of ectopic ACTH-secretion. Treatment with radioactive-labelled somatostatin-analogues such as 177lutetium octreotate is another option for these patients. The primary treatment for ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome is laparoscopic adrenalectomy. In rare cases of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, medicinal treatment aimed at new regulatory pathways of cortisol secretion can be applied.
van Aken
M O
MO
Erasmus MC, afd. Inwendige Geneeskunde, sectie Endocrinologie, kamer H-496, Postbus 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam. m.o.vanaken@erasmusmc.nl
Feelders
R A
RA
van der Lely
A J
AJ
Romijn
J A
JA
Lamberts
S W J
SW
de Herder
W W
WW
D049913:ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D000236:Adenoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D018674:Adrenergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018674:Adrenergic Antagonists