Question: What is the difference between Cushing’s Syndrome and Cushing’s disease? 

Answer: Cushing’s syndrome refers to the physical and emotional changes that occur when there is excess cortisol in the body. A very common cause is steroid medication that is prescribed for many diseases such as asthma and arthritis. Endogenous Cushing’s refers to disorders in which the body itself is overproducing cortisol. This can be due to a pituitary tumor which is termed Cushing’s Disease and accounts for 70% of endogenous Cushing’s. Other causes of endogenous Cushing’s include adrenal tumors, adrenal hyperplasia, and ectopic tumors (tumors, such as in the lung, that can produce hormones similar to a pituitary gland.) It is absolutely essential that the correct cause of Cushing’s be determined prior to treatment.

By Dr. Beverly K. Biller, MD (Spring 1995)