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BRIAN'S CONDITION
QUICK FACTS, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

OPTIONS


NEUROENDOCRINE THYMIC CARCINOID TUMORS
      FACTS
  • The overall incidence of carcinoid tumors is approximately 2.0 to 2.5 per 100,000 people.
  • Thymic carcinoid tumors constitute less than 1% of all carcinoids.
  • There are fewer than 150 documented cases of neuroendocrine thymic carcinoid tumors in the world.
  • These tumors secrete excess amounts of various hormones. In Brian’s case, the tumor secretes adrenocorticotropin, or ACTH.
  • ACTH is secreted by the pituitary gland and triggers the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Excess amounts of ACTH, caused by the tumor, result in an excess amount of cortisol.
  • Cortisol performs vital tasks in the body. It helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function, reduces the immune system’s inflammatory response, balances the effects of insulin in breaking down sugar for energy, and regulates the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
  • One of cortisol’s most important jobs is to help the body respond to stress.
  • Excessive levels of cortisol over an extended period of time causes Cushing’s syndrome.
      SYMPTOMS
  • The most common symptoms of carcinoid tumors are flushing, diarrhea, wheezing, facial edema, and periodic abdominal pain.
      TREATMENTS
  • Due to the extreme rarity of this disease, there is no standard protocol for treatment.
  • Surgery is the preferred, and most successful, treatment option.
  • When a full resection cannot be performed, surgery is typically followed by radiation therapy.
  • If further metastases occur, chemotherapy and investigational drugs are explored.
  • Prognosis for patients with this tumor has been difficult to predict.


CUSHING'S SYNDROME/DISEASE
      FACTS
  • Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body’s tissue to high levels of the hormone cortisol.
  • An estimated 10 to 15 of every million people are affected each year.
      SYMPTOMS
  • Symptoms vary, but most people have upper body obesity, rounded face, increased fat around the neck, thinning of the arms and legs, and buffalo hump (located on back of neck).
  • Other symptoms appear in the skin, which becomes fragile and thin. It bruises easily and heals poorly. Purplish pink stretch marks may appear on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, and breasts.
  • Bones are generally weakened, and routine activities such as bending, lifting, or rising from a chair may lead to backaches as well as rib and spinal column fractures.
  • Most people have severe fatigue, weak muscles, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar.
      TREATMENTS
  • To cure the overproduction of cortisol caused by neuroendocrine thymic carcinoid tumors, it is necessary to eliminate all of the cancerous tissue.
  • When this is not possible, as in Brian’s case, cortisol-inhibiting drugs are administered.
  • If at any time, these drugs are not successful in controlling the cortisol level and are becoming toxic to other organs, surgical removal of the adrenal glands is recommended.

 

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