Cushing’s syndrome (pronounced KOOSH-ingz SIN-drohm) is a condition that occurs when a person’s body tissues are exposed over time to too much of the hormone cortisol (pronouncedKAWR-tuh-sawl). The syndrome can be caused by taking certain medicines or, less commonly, it can be caused by noncancerous or cancerous tumors. Cushing’s syndrome includes a range of symptoms, but they can be treated and, in most cases, the syndrome can be cured. The NICHD is one of the many federal agencies that support and conduct research on the causes of Cushing’s syndrome, detection of its symptoms as soon as possible, and development of improved treatments.
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Fast Facts
Common Name
- Cushing's syndrome
Scientific Name
- Hyperadrenocorticism (pronounced HAHY-per-uh-dree-noh-KAWR-ti-siz-uhm)
- Hypercortisolism (pronounced HAHY-per-KAWR-ti-sol-iz-uhm)
Causes
The most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome is taking medication that contains the hormone cortisol. This leaves the body with more cortisol than it would normally contain from the natural production of cortisol.1 Less commonly, a cancerous or noncancerous tumor in the body can cause too much cortisol production.2
Number of People Affected
Among 1 million people, two or three will develop endogenous (non-medicine-related) Cushing’s syndrome each year in the United States.3 Women are three times more likely than men to have the condition.4
Common Symptoms
The symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome vary, especially in mild cases, but patients may have some or most of the following1:
- Upper-body obesity, with thin arms and legs
- A round, red face
- Skin problems, such as acne, reddish-blue streaks, or easy bruising
- Muscle and bone weakness, including backache
- Fat that collects between the shoulders
- Poor growth in children5
Common Treatments
In most cases Cushing’s syndrome can be cured. The treatment depends on what is causing the excess cortisol in the body.6,7
Cushing’s syndrome can be treated by the following:
- Medication. If medication is to blame, a health care provider can reduce the dose or change the type of drug.
- Overproduction. If the body is making too much cortisol because of a tumor, treatments may include oral medication, surgery, radiation, or a combination of these approaches.
- Stewart P. M., & Krone, N. P. (2011). The adrenal cortex. In Kronenberg, H. M., Shlomo, M., Polonsky, K. S., & Larsen, P. R. (Eds.). Williams textbook of endocrinology (12th ed.) (chap. 15). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier. [top]
- Nieman, L. K., & Ilias, I. (2005) Evaluation and treatment of Cushing’s syndrome. Journal of American Medicine, 118(12), 1340-1346. PMID 16378774. [top]
- Lindholm, J., Juul, S., Jørgensen, J. O. L, Astrup, J., Bjerre, P., Feldt-Rasmussen, U., et al. (2001). Incidence and late prognosis of Cushing’s syndrome: A population-based study. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 86(1), 117-123. PMID 11231987. [top]
- Steffensen, C., Bak, A. M., Rubeck, K. Z., & Jørgensen, J. O. (2010). Epidemiology of Cushing’s syndrome. Neuroendocrinology, 92(Suppl 1), 1-5. PMID 20829610. [top]
- Batista, D. L., Riar, J., Keil, M., & Stratakis, C.A. (2007). Diagnostic tests for children who are referred for the investigation of Cushing syndrome. Pediatrics, 120(3), e575-e586. [top]
- Nieman, L. K., Biller, B. M. K., Findling, J. W., Newell-Price, J., Savage, M. O., et al. (2008). The diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. Retrieved April 8, 2012, fromhttp://www.endo-society.org/guidelines/final/upload/Cushings_Guideline.pdf (PDF - 510 KB). [top]
- Boscaro, M., & Arnaldi, G. (2009). Approach to the patient with possible Cushing’s syndrome. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 94(9), 3121. [top]
Last Reviewed Date: 11/30/2012
