Cushing Syndrome
Cushing Syndrome
Sometimes called hypercortisolism. Cushing s syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body s tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol.
Causes
Pituitary Adenoma Pituitary adenomas cause 70 percent of Cushing s syndrome cases, excluding those caused by glucocorticoid use. These benign, or noncancerous, tumors of the pituitary gland secrete extra ACTH. Most people with the disorder have a single adenoma. Ectopic ACTH Syndrome Some benign or, more often, cancerous tumors that arise outside the pituitary can produce ACTH. This condition is known as ectopic ACTH syndrome.
Adrenal Tumors In rare cases, an abnormality of the adrenal glands, most often an adrenal tumor, causes Cushing s syndrome. Most of these cases involve noncancerous tumors of adrenal tissue called adrenal adenomas, which release excess cortisol into the blood. Familial Cushing s Syndrome Most cases of Cushing s syndrome are not inherited. Rarely, however, Cushing s syndrome results from an inherited tendency to develop tumors of one or more endocrine glands. * Prolonged use of glucocorticoids * Pituitary Adenoma * Ectopic ACTH Syndrome * Adrenal Tumors * Familial Cushing’s Syndrome ↓
Stimulate hypothalamus to release Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) ↓
Anterior Pituitary Gland secretes adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) ↓ Through blood stream
Stimulates Adrenal Cortex to release cortisol ↓ Due to disrupted feedback loop of cortisol ↑Release of cortisol ↓ HYPERCORTISOLISM
Diagnostic Tests
Tests to Diagnose Cushing s Syndrome
24-hour urinary free cortisol level. In this test, a person s urine is collected several times over a 24-hour period and tested for cortisol. Levels higher
Sometimes called hypercortisolism. Cushing s syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body s tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol.
Causes
Pituitary Adenoma Pituitary adenomas cause 70 percent of Cushing s syndrome cases, excluding those caused by glucocorticoid use. These benign, or noncancerous, tumors of the pituitary gland secrete extra ACTH. Most people with the disorder have a single adenoma. Ectopic ACTH Syndrome Some benign or, more often, cancerous tumors that arise outside the pituitary can produce ACTH. This condition is known as ectopic ACTH syndrome.
Adrenal Tumors In rare cases, an abnormality of the adrenal glands, most often an adrenal tumor, causes Cushing s syndrome. Most of these cases involve noncancerous tumors of adrenal tissue called adrenal adenomas, which release excess cortisol into the blood. Familial Cushing s Syndrome Most cases of Cushing s syndrome are not inherited. Rarely, however, Cushing s syndrome results from an inherited tendency to develop tumors of one or more endocrine glands. * Prolonged use of glucocorticoids * Pituitary Adenoma * Ectopic ACTH Syndrome * Adrenal Tumors * Familial Cushing’s Syndrome ↓
Stimulate hypothalamus to release Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) ↓
Anterior Pituitary Gland secretes adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) ↓ Through blood stream
Stimulates Adrenal Cortex to release cortisol ↓ Due to disrupted feedback loop of cortisol ↑Release of cortisol ↓ HYPERCORTISOLISM
Diagnostic Tests
Tests to Diagnose Cushing s Syndrome
24-hour urinary free cortisol level. In this test, a person s urine is collected several times over a 24-hour period and tested for cortisol. Levels higher