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Gadelha M, Gatto F, Wildemberg LE, Fleseriu M. Cushing's syndrome. Lancet 2023; 402:2237-2252. [PMID: 37984386 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01961-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous Cushing's syndrome results from excess glucocorticoid secretion, which leads to a myriad of clinical manifestations, comorbidities, and increased mortality despite treatment. Molecular mechanisms and genetic alterations associated with different causes of Cushing's syndrome have been described in the last decade. Imaging modalities and biochemical testing have evolved; however, both the diagnosis and management of Cushing's syndrome remain challenging. Surgery is the preferred treatment for all causes, but medical therapy has markedly advanced, with new drug options becoming available. Nevertheless, several comorbidities remain even after patient remission, which can affect quality of life. Accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment are essential for mitigating chronic complications of excess glucocorticoids and improving patient quality of life. In this Seminar, we aim to update several important aspects of diagnosis, complications, and treatment of endogenous Cushing's syndrome of all causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mônica Gadelha
- Endocrine Unit and Neuroendocrinology Research Center, Medical School and Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Neuroendocrine Unit, Secretaria Estadual de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Secretaria Estadual de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer, Secretaria Estadual de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Federico Gatto
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Maria Fleseriu
- Pituitary Center, Medicine and Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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Catalino MP, Moore DT, Ironside N, Munoz AR, Coley J, Jonas R, Kearns K, Min L, Vance ML, Jane JA, Laws ER. Postoperative Serum Cortisol and Cushing Disease Recurrence in Patients With Corticotroph Adenomas. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:3287-3294. [PMID: 37290036 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT In Cushing disease, the association between the rate of serum cortisol decline and recurrent disease after corticotroph adenoma removal has not been adequately characterized. OBJECTIVE To analyze postoperative serum cortisol and recurrence rates in Cushing disease. METHODS Patients with Cushing disease and pathology-confirmed corticotroph adenoma were retrospectively studied. Cortisol halving time was estimated using exponential decay modeling. Halving time, first postoperative cortisol, and nadir cortisol values were collected using immediate postoperative inpatient laboratory data. Recurrence and time-to-recurrence were estimated and compared among cortisol variables. RESULTS A total of 320 patients met inclusion/exclusion criteria for final analysis, and 26 of those patients developed recurrent disease. Median follow-up time was 25 months (95% CI, 19-28 months), and 62 patients had ≥ 5 years follow-up time. Higher first postoperative cortisol and higher nadir were associated with increased risk of recurrence. Patients who had a first postoperative cortisol ≥ 50 µg/dL were 4.1 times more likely to recur than those with a first postoperative cortisol < 50 µg/dL (HR 4.1, 1.8-9.2; P = .0003). Halving time was not associated with recurrence (HR 1.7, 0.8-3.8, P = .18). Patients with a nadir cortisol ≥2 µg/dL were 6.6 times more likely to recur than those with a nadir cortisol of < 2 µg/dL (HR 6.6, 2.6-16.6, P < .0001). CONCLUSION Postoperative nadir serum cortisol is the most important cortisol variable associated with recurrence and time-to-recurrence. Compared to first postoperative cortisol and cortisol halving time, a nadir < 2 µg/dL showed the strongest association with long-term remission and typically occurs within the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Catalino
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dominic T Moore
- Department of Biostatistics, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Natasha Ironside
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Alexander R Munoz
- Harvard Medical School-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Justin Coley
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Rachel Jonas
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Kathryn Kearns
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Le Min
- Division of Endocrinology, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mary Lee Vance
- Division of Endocrinology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - John A Jane
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Edward R Laws
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Fleseriu M, Varlamov EV, Hinojosa-Amaya JM, Langlois F, Melmed S. An individualized approach to the management of Cushing disease. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023; 19:581-599. [PMID: 37537306 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00868-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Cushing disease caused by an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary corticotroph adenoma leads to hypercortisolaemia with high mortality due to metabolic, cardiovascular, immunological, neurocognitive, haematological and infectious conditions. The disorder is challenging to diagnose because of its common and heterogenous presenting features and the biochemical pitfalls of testing levels of hormones in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Several late-night salivary cortisol and 24-h urinary free cortisol tests are usually required as well as serum levels of cortisol after a dexamethasone suppression test. MRI might only identify an adenoma in 60-75% of patients and many adenomas are small. Therefore, inferior petrosal sinus sampling remains the gold standard for confirmation of ACTH secretion from a pituitary source. Initial treatment is usually transsphenoidal adenoma resection, but preoperative medical therapy is increasingly being used in some countries and regions. Other management approaches are required if Cushing disease persists or recurs following surgery, including medications to modulate ACTH or block cortisol secretion or actions, pituitary radiation, and/or bilateral adrenalectomy. All patients require lifelong surveillance for persistent comorbidities, clinical and biochemical recurrence, and treatment-related adverse effects (including development of treatment-associated hypopituitarism). In this Review, we discuss challenges in the management of Cushing disease in adults and provide information to guide clinicians when planning an integrated and individualized approach for each patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fleseriu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
- Pituitary Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Elena V Varlamov
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jose M Hinojosa-Amaya
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José E. González", Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Fabienne Langlois
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l'Estrie - Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shlomo Melmed
- Department of Medicine and Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Losa M, Albano L, Bailo M, Barzaghi LR, Mortini P. Role of radiosurgery in the treatment of Cushing's disease. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13134. [PMID: 35980263 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a useful adjuvant treatment for patients with Cushing's disease that is not cured by surgery. In particular, Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) has been increasingly used worldwide as the preferred radiation technique in patients with persistent or recurrent Cushing's disease. The most widely accepted criterion for hormonal remission after GKRS is normalization of urinary free cortisol (UFC) levels. When a clear biological target is not identified, irradiation of the whole pituitary gland can be considered. The 5-year probability of remission is 65%-75%. Normalization of hypercortisolism usually occurs within 3 years from GKRS treatment and control of tumor growth is optimal, approaching more than 90%. No clear predictor of a favorable outcome has emerged up to now, except for the experience of the treating team. In the largest series, development of partial or complete hypopituitarism occurred between 15% and 36%. Severe side effects of GKRS, such as optic neuropathy and oculomotor palsy, are uncommon but have been documented in patients previously exposed to radiation. Recurrence of disease has been reported in as high as 16%-18% of the patients who achieved normalization of UFC levels in the two largest series, whereas smaller series did not describe late failure of GKRS. The reason for this discrepancy is unclear, as is the relationship between hormonal and tumoral recurrence. Another unresolved issue is whether treatment with adrenal blocking drugs can jeopardize the results of GKRS. GKRS is an effective second-line treatment in patients with Cushing's disease not cured by surgery. Hypopituitarism is the most frequent side effect of GKRS, whereas severe neurologic complications are uncommon in radiation-naïve patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Losa
- Department of Neurosurgery, IRCCS San Raffaele, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Albano
- Department of Neurosurgery, IRCCS San Raffaele, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Bailo
- Department of Neurosurgery, IRCCS San Raffaele, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Mortini
- Department of Neurosurgery, IRCCS San Raffaele, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
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Albano L, Losa M, Barzaghi LR, Niranjan A, Siddiqui Z, Flickinger JC, Lunsford LD, Mortini P. Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Pituitary Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194998. [PMID: 34638482 PMCID: PMC8508565 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pituitary tumors represent approximately 10–15% of all brain neoplasms. Gamma Knife, the most commonly used stereotactic radiosurgery technique worldwide, plays an important role in the treatment of several pituitary neoplasm. It is currently used in cases of residual or recurrent tumors after surgery or as primary treatment when surgery is contraindicated. Its goals are long-term tumor control, preservation of visual function, and, for secreting pituitary adenomas, endocrine remission. Several retrospective case-series (level of evidence IV) on Gamma Knife for pituitary tumors have been published describing encouraging outcomes; only one systematic review and meta-analysis on non-functioning pituitary adenoma has been recently reported. We provide a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis from the last two decades on Gamma Knife radiosurgery for several pituitary tumors with the aim of describing and confirming safety and effectiveness of this technique. Abstract To describe and evaluate outcomes of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GK) for the treatment of pituitary tumors over the past twenty years, a systematic review and meta-analysis according to PRISMA statement was performed. Articles counting more than 30 patients were included. A weighted random effects models was used to calculate pooled outcome estimates. From 459 abstract reviews, 52 retrospective studies were included. Among them, 18 reported on non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA), 13 on growth hormone (GH)-secreting adenomas, six on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting adenomas, four on prolactin hormone (PRL)-secreting adenomas, and 11 on craniopharyngiomas. Overall tumor control and five-year progression free survival (PFS) estimate after one GK procedure for NFPA was 93% (95% CI 89–97%) and 95% (95% CI 91–99%), respectively. In case of secreting pituitary adenomas, overall remission (cure without need for medication) estimates were 45% (95% CI 35–54%) for GH-secreting adenomas, 64% (95% CI 0.52–0.75%) for ACTH-secreting adenomas and 34% (95% CI: 19–48%) for PRL-secreting adenomas. The pooled analysis for overall tumor control and five-year PFS estimate after GK for craniopharyngioma was 74% (95% CI 67–81%) and 70% (95% CI: 64–76%), respectively. This meta-analysis confirms and quantifies safety and effectiveness of GK for pituitary tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Albano
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (L.R.B.); (P.M.)
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.A.); (M.L.); Tel.: +390226432396 (L.A. & M.L.)
| | - Marco Losa
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (L.R.B.); (P.M.)
- Correspondence: (L.A.); (M.L.); Tel.: +390226432396 (L.A. & M.L.)
| | - Lina Raffaella Barzaghi
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (L.R.B.); (P.M.)
| | - Ajay Niranjan
- Departments of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (A.N.); (L.D.L.)
- Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (Z.S.); (J.C.F.)
| | - Zaid Siddiqui
- Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (Z.S.); (J.C.F.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - John C. Flickinger
- Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (Z.S.); (J.C.F.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Lawrence Dade Lunsford
- Departments of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (A.N.); (L.D.L.)
- Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (Z.S.); (J.C.F.)
| | - Pietro Mortini
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (L.R.B.); (P.M.)
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Bunevicius A, Lavezzo K, Smith PW, Vance ML, Sheehan J. Stereotactic radiosurgery before bilateral adrenalectomy is associated with lowered risk of Nelson's syndrome in refractory Cushing's disease patients. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2021; 163:1949-1956. [PMID: 33759014 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-021-04823-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nelson's syndrome is a rare but challenging sequelae of Cushing's disease (CD) after bilateral adrenalectomy (BLA). We sought to determine if stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) of residual pituitary adenoma performed before BLA can decrease the risk of Nelson's syndrome. METHODS Consecutive patients with CD who underwent BLA after non-curative resection of ACTH secreting pituitary adenoma and had at least one follow-up visit after BLA were studied. Nelson's syndrome was diagnosed based on the combination of rising ACTH levels, increasing volume of the pituitary adenoma and/or hyperpigmentation. RESULTS Fifty patients underwent BLA for refractory CD, and 43 patients (7 men and 36 women) had at least one follow-up visit after BAL. Median endocrine, imaging, and clinical follow-up were 66 months, 69 months, and 80 months, respectively. Nine patients (22%) were diagnosed with the Nelson's syndrome at median time after BLA at 24 months (range: 0.6-119.4 months). SRS before BLA was associated with reduced risk of the Nelson's syndrome (HR = 0.126; 95%CI [0.022-0.714], p=0.019), while elevated ACTH level within 6 months after BLA was associated with increased risk for the Nelson's syndrome (HR = 9.053; 95%CI [2.076-39.472], p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS SRS before BLA can reduce the risk for the Nelson's syndrome in refractory CD patients requiring BLA and should be considered before proceeding to BLA. Elevated ACTH concentration within 6 months after BLA is associated with greater risk of the Nelsons' syndrome. When no prior SRS is administered, those with a high ACTH level shortly after BLA may benefit from early SRS.
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