Cushing Syndrome Treatment in Turkey
About Cushing Syndrome
Key Highlights
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Accurate identification of the source of excess cortisol (pituitary, adrenal, or ectopic).Personalized treatment plan based on the specific underlying cause.Multidisciplinary approach involving endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, and radiologists for comprehensive care.Goal of restoring normal hormone levels to alleviate debilitating symptoms and prevent long-term complications.Ongoing monitoring and management to ensure sustained remission and health.
Who is this surgery for?
- Unexplained weight gain, particularly in the face (moon face) and torso with slender limbs.
- Development of a fatty hump between the shoulders (buffalo hump).
- Skin changes like purple stretch marks (striae), easy bruising, and poor wound healing.
- Muscle weakness, fatigue, and proximal myopathy.
- High blood pressure (hypertension) and/or high blood sugar (hyperglycemia or diabetes).
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods in women and decreased libido or erectile dysfunction in men.
- Mood changes, such as depression, anxiety, or irritability, and cognitive difficulties.
- Osteoporosis or unexplained bone fractures.
How to prepare
- Detailed medical history review and physical examination by the endocrinologist.
- Discontinuation of certain medications (like glucocorticoids) as advised, which can interfere with test results.
- Completion of initial screening blood tests to check cortisol and ACTH levels.
- For specific tests: Overnight dexamethasone suppression test requires taking a prescribed dose of dexamethasone at night.
- Collection of 24-hour urine sample in a provided container, keeping it refrigerated.
- For midnight salivary cortisol test, avoid eating, drinking, or brushing teeth for 30 minutes before the sample.
- Pre-procedure fasting may be required if imaging studies (CT/MRI) with contrast are scheduled.
- Psychological preparation and discussion of the diagnostic plan and potential next steps.
Risks & possible complications
- Diagnostic Phase: Potential for false-positive or false-negative test results requiring repeat testing.
- Medication Side Effects: Drugs used to control cortisol (e.g., ketoconazole, metyrapone) can cause nausea, liver enzyme changes, or adrenal insufficiency.
- Surgical Risks (if required): For pituitary surgery (transsphenoidal adenomectomy): infection, cerebrospinal fluid leak, bleeding, diabetes insipidus, or pituitary hormone deficiencies. For adrenal surgery: bleeding, infection, injury to nearby organs, or adrenal insufficiency.
- Radiation Therapy Risks (if required): Fatigue, hair loss at the site, and potential for delayed pituitary hormone deficiencies.
- Post-Treatment: Development of adrenal insufficiency, requiring lifelong steroid replacement therapy.
- Recurrence: Possibility of the tumor returning, necessitating long-term follow-up.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Post-diagnosis, the recovery path depends entirely on the treatment. If medication is the primary therapy, regular blood tests to monitor cortisol and adjust doses are crucial.
- After pituitary or adrenal surgery, hospital stay is typically required for monitoring hormone levels and managing potential complications like diabetes insipidus.
- Strict adherence to any prescribed steroid (hydrocortisone) replacement therapy is vital to prevent an adrenal crisis; patients must carry a steroid emergency card.
- Gradual tapering of replacement steroids under endocrinologist guidance as the body's adrenal function recovers, which can take months to over a year.
- Regular follow-up visits for clinical assessment, hormone level checks, and repeat imaging to monitor for recurrence.
- Lifestyle modifications, including a balanced diet, weight management, and bone health support (calcium, vitamin D), are important for overall recovery.
- Psychological support may be beneficial to cope with the physical and emotional changes during recovery.
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Typical hospital stay:
0-7 days
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Expected recovery time:
6 months to 2+ years
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cushing syndrome in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with endocrinology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cushing syndrome. MediFyr helps you compare endocrinologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cushing syndrome compare across other countries where we have data.
Olivia Shah, a 28-year-old elementary school...
Olivia Shah, a 28-year-old elementary school teacher, had always been active and health-conscious. Over the past two years, she noticed a gradual but relentless change: her face became rounder ('moon face'), she developed a pronounced 'buffalo hump' of fat on her upper back, and despite her best efforts, she gained significant weight, especially around her abdomen. Deep, purple stretch marks appeared on her skin, and her menstrual cycles became irregular. She felt constantly fatigued, irritable with her students, and struggled with high blood pressure. Her primary care doctor, after ruling out other causes, referred her to endocrinologist Dr. Chen. Dr. Chen confirmed Cushing's syndrome through blood and urine tests and a dexamethasone suppression test. An MRI revealed a small, benign pituitary tumor (Cushing's disease). Olivia underwent a minimally invasive procedure called transsphenoidal surgery to remove the tumor. The recovery was challenging, with fatigue and steroid withdrawal symptoms requiring careful hormone replacement. Within a year, her physical features slowly normalized, her energy returned, and her mood stabilized. Emotionally, she moved from frustration and a loss of self-identity to profound relief and a regained sense of control over her body and life.