Cushing's syndrome caused by an adrenal adenoma, carcinoma or bilateral nodular adrenal hyperplasia is treated by adrenal surgery. The treatment is surgical. Excessive adrenal androgen secretion is found in the adrenogenital syndrome in which defective cortisol biosynthesis leads to ACTH oversecretion and ACTH-stimulated overproduction of cortisol precursors, some of which are androgens. Treatment consists of glucocorticoids which suppress the ACTH oversecretion. Pheochromocytomas produce excessive amounts of catecholamines and cause hypertension which can be persistent as well as episodic.
Therapy consists of adrenalectomy.
Addison's disease occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and in some cases, aldosterone. For this reason, the disease is sometimes called chronic adrenal insufficiency , or hypocorticism . It is characterized by weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and sometimes darkening of the skin in both exposed and non exposed parts of the body. In most instances the adrenal cortex is destroyed by an insidious and slow process related to an autoimmune disorder. Thus, the disease may be present for years before it is discovered.