Cushing syndrome due to adrenal tumor is a form of Cushing syndrome. It occurs when a tumor of the adrenal gland releases excess amounts of the hormone cortisol.

Adrenal tumor - Cushing syndrome; Cushing syndrome due to adrenal tumor

Cushing syndrome is a group of symptoms and signs that occurs when your body has a higher than normal level of the hormone cortisol. This hormone is made in the adrenal glands. Too much cortisol can be due to various problems. One such problem is a tumor on one of the adrenal glands. Adrenal tumors release cortisol.

Adrenal tumors are rare. They can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).

Noncancerous tumors that can cause Cushing syndrome include:

• Adrenal adenomas, common tumors that rarely make excess cortisol
• Macronodular hyperplasia, which causes the adrenal glands to enlarge and make excess cortisol

Cancerous tumors that may cause Cushing syndrome include an adrenal carcinoma. This is a rare tumor, but it usually makes excess cortisol.

Most people with Cushing syndrome have:

• Round, red, full face (moon face)
• Slow growth rate in children
• Weight gain with fat accumulation on the trunk, but fat loss from the arms, legs, and buttocks (central obesity)

Skin changes that are often seen:

• Skin infections
• Purple stretch marks [1/2 inch (in) or 1 centimeter (cm) or more wide], called striae, on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, upper arms, and breasts
• Thin skin with easy bruising

Muscle and bone changes include:

• Backache, which occurs with routine activities
• Bone pain or tenderness
• Collection of fat between the shoulders and above the collar bone
• Rib and spine fractures caused by thinning of the bones
• Weak muscles, especially of the hips and shoulders

Body-wide (systemic) changes include:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• High blood pressure
• Increased blood cholesterol and triglycerides (hyperlipidemia)

Women often have:

• Excess hair growth on the face, neck, chest, abdomen, and thighs (more common than in other types of Cushing syndrome)
• Periods that become irregular or stop

Men may have:

• Decreased or no desire for sex (low libido)
• Erection problems

Other symptoms that may occur include:

• Mental changes, such as depression, anxiety, or changes in behavior
• Fatigue
• Frequent infections
• Headache
• Increased thirst and urination

Surgery is done to remove the adrenal tumor. Often, the entire adrenal gland is removed.

Glucocorticoid replacement treatment is usually needed until the other adrenal gland recovers from surgery. You may need this treatment for 3 to 12 months.

If surgery is not possible, such as in cases of adrenal cancer that has spread (metastasis), medicines can be used to stop the release of cortisol.

People with an adrenal tumor who have surgery have an excellent outlook. For adrenal cancer, surgery is sometimes not possible. When surgery is performed, it does not always cure the cancer.

Cancerous adrenal tumors can spread to the liver or lungs.

Contact your provider if you develop any symptoms of Cushing syndrome.

Appropriate treatment of adrenal tumors may reduce the risk of complications in some people with adrenal tumor-related Cushing syndrome.

Published Date: April 24, 2025
Published By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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