Corticotropin-Secreting PA

Corticotropinoma is a benign tumor (adenoma) of the pituitary gland, which develops from hormone-producing cells of the anterior pituitary gland – corticotrophs, manifested by increased secretion of corticotropin (ACTH), leading to the occurrence of Cushing’s disease, and Nelson’s syndrome. Occurs in 10% of cases of pituitary adenomas.

Treatment of corticotropinoma

The therapeutic management in patients with corticotropinoma in each case is selected individually. Most often, due to the severity of the clinical signs of hypercortisolism, corticotropinomas are diagnosed even at the stage of pico- or microadenomas of the pituitary gland (up to 5-10 mm). Surgical treatment is the method of choice for corticotropin treatment. Also, in some cases, radiation therapy is used. No adequate effective pathogenetic drug therapy for the treatment of corticotropin has been developed. In addition to the main methods of treatment, antiserotonin, dopaminergic, GABA-ergic drugs can be used to reduce the production of ACTH – it is not recommended to begin treatment with drugs. To reduce the level of cortisol, drugs blocking the biosynthesis of corticosteroids in the adrenal glands are used. Symptomatic therapy is also used to reduce the effects of hypercortisolism.