Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
ACTH stimulates the adrenal gland, located on top of each kidney, to secrete cortisol (a glucocorticosteroid). Cortisol helps the body deal with stress and disease.
Excess cortisol (Cushing’s syndrome) causes excessive fat buildup in various areas, including the face ("moon face"), neck ("buffalo hump") and abdomen. Legs and arms are usually thin (centripetal obesity). There's thin skin, easy bruising, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and excessive hair growth (hirsutism). Depression is common.
Cushing's syndrome can be a result of many things, including excessive intake of commonly prescribed medications containing steroids. When it is the result of an ACTH-secreting pituitary tumor, it's called Cushing's disease. ACTH tumors represent 15 percent of pituitary tumors. They are more common in women than men.
Click here to learn more about treatment options for functioning pituitary tumors.
For more information, please contact:
Rebecca O. Heitkam, RN, BSN, CCRN, coordinator
Gamma Knife Center
Saint Joseph's Hospital
678-843-5513
or toll free at 1-866-SJGAMMA
or email
rheitkam@sjha.org
