Cushing's Syndrome

Cushing's Syndrome Cushing's syndrome, also known as hypercortisolism, occurs when a person's tissues are exposed to an excess of the hormone cortisol.

When the appropriate amount of cortisol is released by the adrenal glands, it helps regulate blood pressure, energy production, the ability to fight disease, and how the body maintains itself and responds to stress. But too much cortisol can alter the normal function of these processes, resulting in the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome.

Who gets it?
Cushing's syndrome is fairly rare. For every one million people, 2-5 new cases are diagnosed each year, with about 10 percent of these being children and teenagers.

What are its symptoms?
Most children and teenagers with Cushing's syndrome will show several of the following:

Adults with the disease may also have symptoms of extreme weight gain, excess hair growth, high blood pressure, and skin problems.

In addition, they may show:

What causes Cushing's syndrome?
Cushing's syndrome can occur when:

This can be caused by:

How is it diagnosed?
Doctors review the patient's medical records and do a physical exam. If these suggest Cushing's syndrome, more tests are done. A definite diagnosis involves:

These may include:

How can it be treated?
If Cushing's syndrome is the result of taking hormones as treatment for another disease, the doctor will adjust the dosage. If Cushing's syndrome is caused by the body producing too much cortisol, treatment may include:

The treatment used will depend on the cause of the extra cortisol.

Can Cushing's syndrome be cured?
Yes. In many cases Cushing's syndrome can be cured. But as with any disease, success is not guaranteed. How effective treatment is depends on the cause and severity of the disease and factors unique to the individual. But even if cure is not achieved, most patients eventually achieve some level of recovery.

What about the future?
Ongoing research into curing Cushing's syndrome should provide a promising future for individuals with the disease. Doctors can now diagnose Cushing's syndrome with 98 percent accuracy. Researchers are also looking for ways to cure Cushing's syndrome without surgery.

SOURCE: National Institutes of Health
Updated: September 2002



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