Blog

Nelson’s Syndrome is caused by an ACTH-secreting adenoma in a patient with Cushing’s disease after undergoing bilateral adrenelectomies. As many as 25% or Cushing’s disease patients who undergo bilateral adrenalectomies will develop Nelson’s syndrome over the next 5 to 10 years. Removal of both adrenals eliminates production of cortisol, and the lack of cortisol’s negative feedback can allow these tumors to become quite aggressive and invasive. Nelson’s syndrome is relatively uncommon now given that bilateral adrenalectomy is now used infrequently in the treatment of patients with Cushing’s disease.