Pituitary-gonadal system in women with hypercorticism. Results of surgical and pharmacological treatment
Kasperlik-Załuska, A.; Stopińska-Głuszak, U.; Hartwig, W.; Marianowski, L.; Niewiadomska, A.
Ginekologia Polska 50(12): 1023-1028
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-0011 PMID: 535768 Document Number: 140139
The functional state of the hypophysis-gonad system was assayed in 112 women with diagnosed adrenocortical hyperactivity. The results of surgical and pharmacological treatment on the system were tested. The study consisted of: 88 cases of Cushings disease (in 8 cases clinically evident pituitary gland adenoma was present); 11 cases of adenoma; 6 cases of adrenal cortex carcinoma with co-existing signs of Cushing's syndrome; and 6 cases of virilizing tumor of adrenal origin. In .apprx. 49% of the subjects and Cushing's disease, amenorrhea was present; in a further 39%, menstrual bleeding was scarce and irregular. In the group of women with virilizing tumor and adrenal carcinoma amenorrhea occurred in all subjects. Surgical treatment was performed in 44 women with Cushing's disease (bilateral adrenalectomy) and in 15 women the adenoma was excised. In all operated subjects, clinical remission was observed with reappearance of regular menstruation. Pharmacological treatment in cases of Cushing's disease brought improvement in .apprx. 1/2 of the women treated. A group of 11 patients with Nelson's syndrome is discussed. Most presented regular menstrual cycles; absence of menstruation in these cases was usually collateral with symptoms of retrosellar invasion of the hypophyseal adenoma.