Cushing's syndrome

What causes Cushing's syndrome?

Cushing's syndrome is caused by long-term exposure of the body's tissues to cortisol, a hormone that is naturally produced by the adrenal gland. Exposure to too much cortisol can result from long-term use of corticosteriod medications used to treat inflammatory illnesses. Pituitary adenomas (benign tumors of the pituitary gland) or tumors of the adrenal gland may also cause cortisol imbalances.

Last updated on 05-01-20

Is Cushing's syndrome inherited?

Most cases of Cushing's syndrome are not inherited. However, Cushing's syndrome rarely occurs in inherited conditions characterized by the development of tumors of one or more endocrine gland. These conditions may include:

  • Primary pigmented micronodular adrenal disease, in which children or young adults develop small cortisol-producing tumors of the adrenal glands,
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), in which hormone-secreting tumors of the parathyroid glands, pancreas, and pituitary develop. Cushing's syndrome in MEN1 may be due to pituitary or adrenal tumors.

Last updated on 05-01-20

Management Guidelines

Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline

The Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline for Cushing's syndrome was developed by the Endocrine Society, a global network of endocrinologists working as physicians, researchers, clinicians, scientists, and educators. The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for clinical care and practice.

Last updated on 04-27-20

Where To Start

Cushing syndrome

The Cushing's Support and Research Foundation provides information and support for people with Cushing syndrome. Click on Cushing's Support and Research Foundation to view information on Cushing's.

Last updated on 04-27-20

Name: Pituitary Network Association P.O. Box 1958
Thousand Oaks, CA, 91358 , United States
Phone: +1-805-499-9973 Fax : +1-805-480-0633 Email: info@pituitary.org Url: https://pituitary.org/
Name: The Endocrine Society 8401 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 900
Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, United States
Phone: 301–941–0200 Toll Free: 888–363–6274 Fax : 301–941–0259 Email: societyservices@endo-society.org Url: http://www.endo-society.org
Name: Cushing's Support and Research Foundation 65 East India Row Suite 22B
Boston, MA, 02110-3389, United States
Phone: +1-617-723-3674 Email: https://csrf.net/about-csrf/contact-us/ Url: https://csrf.net
Name: National Adrenal Diseases Foundation NADF P.O. Box 566
Lake Zurich, IL, 60047,
Phone: +1-(847) 726-9010 Email: nadfmail@nadf.us Url: https://www.nadf.us

Note, these links are external searches against the National Laboratory of Medicine's drug database. You may need to adjust the search if there are no results found.

Drug Name Generic Name
Signifor pasireotide
Isturisa osilodrostat

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