Adrenal Disorders

Cushing's Syndrome

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

Cushing's syndrome is a rare hormonal disorder that occurs when the body's tissues are exposed to excessive levels of the hormone cortisol for a long period of time. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands and helps the body respond to stress, such as surgery and illness, and recover from infections. The hormone also helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function and regulate the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

Benign, or non-cancerous, tumors of the pituitary gland called pituitary adenomas that secrete excessive amounts of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) cause an estimated 70 percent of Cushing's syndrome cases in adults and is referred to as Cushing's disease. Other causes include tumors of the adrenal glands, which are located above the kidneys, as well as tumors occurring elsewhere in the body, such as the lungs, that secrete ACTH. This condition is known as ectopic ACTH syndrome. Rarely, some people may have an inherited tendency to develop tumors of one or more endocrine glands that can lead to Cushing's syndrome.

Cushing's syndrome is relatively rare, each year affecting only about 10 to 15 out of every million people. It most commonly occurs in adults between 20 and 50 years of age, with women accounting for over 70 percent of those diagnosed.

Symptoms of Cushing's syndrome may include:

• Change in body form, particularly weight gain in the face that is referred to as moon facies as well as fat deposition above the collar bone, called supraclavicular fat, and at the back of neck, called a buffalo hump.
• Skin changes with easy bruising, purplish stretch marks, called stria, and red cheeks
• Excess hair growth on face, neck, chest, abdomen and thighs
• Overall weakness and fatigue
• Loss of muscle bulk
• Menstrual disorders in women
• Decreased fertility and/or sex drive
• Hypertension
• Diabetes mellitus
• Depression with wide mood swings

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007