Publicatiedatum: Onbekend

What do you need to know about Cushing’s Syndrome?
Cushing’s syndrome is an uncommon condition caused by high levels of cortisol. There are only 0.7–2.4 new cases per million around the world every year, and it is estimated that only 40 in 1,000,000 people suffers from Cushing’s syndrome.¹  Cushing’s syndrome is more common in women than in men and most often affects adults between 30 and 50 years old.¹¹

Cushing’s syndrome describes a cluster of specified conditions, some of which involve the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and some that do not. ACTH is a hormone that is made by the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain.²

The most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome is a tumor that produces too much of the hormone ACTH, which in turn causes the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol. This takes two distinct forms:²

• Cushing’s disease: caused by a benign tumour in the pituitary gland
• Ectopic syndrome: caused by a tumour found outside the pituitary gland

There are also forms of Cushing’s syndrome that do not involve the hormone ACTH and are instead caused by too much cortisol being produced directly by the adrenal glands, but these are less common.²

This page lays out key information about Cushing’s syndrome, including what Cushing’s Syndrome is and what causes it, and the impact its symptoms can have on patients’ lives. It aims to provide a foundational understanding of Cushing’s syndrome for patients and carers.

Source: #This is Cushing