Causes of Cushing's syndrome

List of causes of Cushing's syndrome

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Cushing's syndrome) that could possibly cause Cushing's syndrome includes:

• Pituitary tumors
• Pituitary adenomas (type of Adenoma) - usually benign ACTH-producing tumors of the pituitary gland; most common in women
• ACTH-producing pituitary tumor
• Lung tumors - more common in men
• Small cell lung cancer
• Thymoma
• Pancreatic islet cell tumor
• Thyroid medullary carcinoma
• Adrenocortical carcinomas
• Adrenal gland tumor
• Adrenal adenomas - benign adrenal tumor
• Familial Cushing's Syndrome
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type I
• Primary Pigmented Micronodular Adrenal Disease
• Carney's complex
• McCune-Albright syndrome

More causes: see full list of causes for Cushing-like symptoms

Causes of Cushing's syndrome (Diseases Database):

The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Cushing's syndrome that are listed by the Diseases Database:

• Hydrocortisone
• Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia
• Lead
• Adrenocorticotrophic hormone
• Prednisolone
• Adrenal cortex tumours
• Ectopic ACTH syndrome
• Dexamethasone
• Bronchogenic carcinoma
• Cushing's disease
• Glucocorticoids, topical

Cushing's syndrome as a complication of other conditions:

Other conditions that might have Cushing's syndrome as a complication may, potentially, be an underlying cause of Cushing's syndrome. Our database lists the following as having Cushing's syndrome as a complication of that condition:

• McCune-Albright Syndrome

Cushing's syndrome as a symptom:

Conditions listing Cushing's syndrome as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Cushing's syndrome. Our database lists the following as having Cushing's syndrome as a symptom of that condition:

• Cushing's syndrome-induced hypertension
• Gastro-enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor
• McCune-Albright Syndrome

Medications or substances causing Cushing's syndrome:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Cushing's syndrome as a symptom. This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Glucocorticoids - from long-term usage.
• Steroidal treatments - long-term treatment (e.g. anti-inflammatory arthritis treatment or cancer treatment).
• Corticosteroids
• Prednisone
• Corticotropin
• more drugs...»

See full list of 10 medications causing Cushing's syndrome

Drug interactions causing Cushing's syndrome:

When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Cushing's syndrome as a symptom.

The list below is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Fluticasone and Ritonavir interaction
• Advair and Ritonavir interaction
• Advair Diskus and Ritonavir interaction
• Cutivate and Ritonavir interaction
• Flonase and Ritonavir interaction
• more interactions...»

See full list of 34 drug interactions causing Cushing's syndrome

What causes Cushing's syndrome?

Causes: Cushing's syndrome:

Cushing's Syndrome: NIDDK (Excerpt)

Cushing's syndrome occurs when the body's tissues are exposed to excessive levels of cortisol for long periods of time. (Source: excerpt from Cushing's Syndrome: NIDDK)

NINDS Cushing's Syndrome Information Page: NINDS (Excerpt)

It may be caused by either prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol or by the overproduction of cortisol in the body. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Cushing's Syndrome Information Page: NINDS)
Article excerpts about the causes of Cushing's syndrome:
Cushing's syndrome occurs when the body's tissues are exposed to excessive levels of cortisol for long periods of time. Many people suffer the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome because they take glucocorticoid hormones such as prednisone for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or other inflammatory diseases.

Others develop Cushing's syndrome because of overproduction of cortisol by the body. Normally, the production of cortisol follows a precise chain of events. First, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain which is about the size of a small sugar cube, sends corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) to the pituitary gland. CRH causes the pituitary to secrete ACTH (adrenocorticotropin), a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands. When the adrenals, which are located just above the kidneys, receive the ACTH, they respond by releasing cortisol into the bloodstream.

Cortisol performs vital tasks in the body. It helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function, reduces the immune system's inflammatory response, balances the effects of insulin in breaking down sugar for energy, and regulates the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. One of cortisol's most important jobs is to help the body respond to stress. For this reason, women in their last 3 months of pregnancy and highly trained athletes normally have high levels of the hormone. People suffering from depression, alcoholism, malnutrition and panic disorders also have increased cortisol levels.

When the amount of cortisol in the blood is adequate, the hypothalamus and pituitary release less CRH and ACTH. This ensures that the amount of cortisol released by the adrenal glands is precisely balanced to meet the body's daily needs. However, if something goes wrong with the adrenals or their regulating switches in the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, cortisol production can go awry. (Source: excerpt from Cushing's Syndrome: NIDDK)

Related information on causes of Cushing's syndrome:

As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Cushing's syndrome may be found in:

• Medications that may cause Cushing's syndrome
• Hidden causes of Cushing's syndrome

Causes of Cushing's syndrome: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Cushing's syndrome.

Cushing's syndrome: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

In approximately 70% of patients, Cushing’s syndrome results from excessive production of corticotropin and consequent hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex. Overproduction of corticotropin may stem from pituitary hypersecretion (Cushing’s disease), a corticotropin-producing tumor in another organ (particularly bronchogenic or pancreatic cancer), or excessive administration of exogenous glucocorticoids.

In the remaining 30% of patients, Cushing’s syndrome results from a cortisol-secreting adrenal tumor, which is usually benign. In infants, the usual cause of Cushing’s syndrome is adrenal carcinoma.

Cushing’s syndrome affects 13 of every 1 million people. It’s more common in females than in males and occurs primarily between ages between ages 25 and 40.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Cushing's syndrome: Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)

In approximately 80% of patients, Cushing’s syndrome results from excess production of corticotropin and consequent hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex. Overproduction of corticotropin may stem from pituitary hypersecretion (Cushing’s disease) or corticotropin-producing tumor in another organ (particularly bronchogenic or pancreatic carcinoma). Excessive administration of exogenous glucocorticoids can also cause Cushing’s syndrome.

In the remaining 20% of patients, Cushing’s syndrome results from a cortisol-secreting adrenal tumor that’s usually benign. In infants, the usual cause of Cushing’s syndrome is adrenal adenoma or carcinoma.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003