Aminoglutethimide in the treatment of Cushing's syndrome.

The efficacy and tolerability of aminoglutethimide for the treatment of Cushing's syndrome was assessed in 66 cases three of which are described in the present paper. Aminoglutethimide provided palliation from the signs and symptoms of hypercorticism in 13 of 21 patients with metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma and four of six patients with ectopic ACTH production due to metastatic carcinomas. All six of the patients with adrenal adenomas showed clinical and biochemical improvement, while 14 of the 33 patients with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia of pituitary origin improved. Adverse reactions attributed to aminoglutethimide such as drowsiness, rash, and nausea occurred in 58 per cent of cases. These data suggest that aminoglutethimide has a place in controlling the signs and symptoms of adrenocorticoid excess in patients with Cushing's syndrome due to malignancy and is effective preoperative therapy for patients with adrenal adenomas and bilateral hyperplasia.