The Long-Term Outcome of Pituitary Irradiation after Unsuccessful Transsphenoidal Surgery in Cushing's Disease

Cushing's disease results from excessive stimulation of the adrenal glands caused by the oversecretion of corticotropin by an adenoma, or, occasionally, hyperplasia of the corticotroph cells of the pituitary. 1 , 2 It is the most frequent cause of spontaneous Cushing's syndrome in adults, accounting for about 70 percent of cases. 3 Selective resection of the corticotropin-secreting tumor by the transsphenoidal approach is the standard treatment for the disease. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of patients are cured, although the success of the procedure depends on the skill and experience of the surgeon and the criteria used to define a cure. 1 , 4 – . . .