Causes Of Cushing's Syndrome

Primary Adrenal Gland Disease

Primary adrenal gland disease can lead to the development of Cushing's syndrome, especially in patients who have adrenal gland problems, such as a tumor on the adrenal glands themselves. This tumor causes the glands to produce cortisol in excessive quantities. Adrenal gland tumors are responsible for approximately thirty percent of all cases of Cushing's syndrome.

Fortunately, the majority of tumors on the adrenal glands are benign, and some do not cause symptoms. Those tumors that do cause symptoms, as is the case in Cushing's, can be treated with surgery. In primary adrenal gland disease, there is no tumor present on the adrenal glands, but the glands themselves are hyperactive. As a result, this triggers the production of too much cortisol within the body.