A client with Cushing's syndrome has a buffalo hump. Which statement about this symptom is most accurate?

• A. This Is a Permanent Feature.
• B. It Can Be Minimized by Wearing Tight Clothing.
• C. It Will Quickly Disappear Once Medication Therapy Is Started.
• D. It May Slowly Improve With Treatment.

Answer: (D)

Buffalo hump in Cushing’s syndrome comes from cortisol-driven fat redistribution, with fat commonly accumulating in the dorsocervical region. When treatment lowers cortisol, the underlying cause is addressed, but the stored fat doesn’t vanish instantly. Fat redistribution reverses gradually as metabolic signals normalize, so any improvement tends to be slow rather than rapid. That makes the statement about slow improvement with treatment the most accurate. Wearing tight clothing doesn’t change fat distribution, and starting medication is not typically followed by a rapid disappearance of this feature.