Monday, October 12, 2009

Cushing’s: the worst case scenario

Ami found this older abstract from last year.  Please, if you think you have Cushing's - or any serious disease - advocate for yourself before it's too late.  Over the years, too many Cushies have died. It's time to take charge of your life, the only one you will ever have...

Endocrine Abstracts (2008) 15 S58

Cushing’s: the worst case scenario

Viv Thornton-Jones

Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.


We present the case of a 40-year-old female who was referred to our Department in 1993, for further management following the diagnosis of Cushing’s disease. She proceeded to a transsphenoidal adenenomatectomy (TSA) which resulted in a biochemical cure.

In 1998 she presented with recurrence of Cushing’s Disease, which was managed by a 2nd TSA followed by external beam irradiation.

Bilateral adrenalectomy followed a year later, due to the inability to control her disease.

In 2001 she presented with Nelson’s Syndrome managed by a 3rd TSA followed this time with Gamma Knife surgery.

In 2004 she presented with manifestations consistent with recurrence of Nelson’s Syndrome and proceeded to a 4th TSA. Despite the risk of blindness, the patient agreed to a second course of Gamma Knife treatment for the possibility of tumour control.

Over the next 2 years her clinical picture deteriorated, resulting in a right partial ptosis and a sixth nerve palsy.

She was referred to an Oncologist who offered her Chemotherapy, but she refused treatment.

The patient was then in the care of the Palliative Care Team and she died peacefully at home in 2006.


Endocrine Abstracts (2008) 15 S58

From http://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0015/ea0015S58.htm

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