Diagnosis and management of canine cortisol-secreting adrenal tumors.

Cortisol-secreting adrenal tumors are responsible for 10% to 15% of all cases of naturally occurring canine hyperadrenocorticism. Differentiation of adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism from pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism is very important because the recommended therapeutic approaches for each are different, and the prognosis also may be different. A stepwise approach to diagnosing and staging the disease is needed. Treatment options include surgery and administration of mitotane or ketoconazole.