What causes Cushing syndrome?
• Adrenal gland diseases: Adrenal glands that make too many cells and grow larger than normal because of a disease may cause Cushing syndrome. Another cause for Cushing syndrome is a cancer tumor on an adrenal gland. • Cancers: Lung cancer may also make ACTH, causing the adrenal gland to make too much cortisol. This condition is known as ectopic ACTH syndrome. • Pituitary gland tumors: These are small, benign (non-cancerous) tumors in the pituitary gland which make too much ACTH, leading to too much cortisol. Cushing syndrome caused by a benign pituitary tumor is called Cushing’s Disease. • Steroid medicine: Long-term use of steroid medicine such as prednisone may cause Cushing syndrome. What are the signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome? Cushing syndrome includes all of these four signs and symptoms: • Increased fat around the neck and collar areas. • Puffiness of face. Your face may look rounded and often redder than usual. • Extra fat around your trunk area and thinning of your arm
