What is the Difference Between Cushings Disease and Cushings Syndrome?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Cushing's syndrome and Cushing's disease are both conditions that result from excessive cortisol levels in the body, but they have different causes:
- Cushing's Syndrome: This disorder is characterized by physical and mental changes resulting from too much cortisol. There are two types of Cushing's syndrome: exogenous (caused by factors outside the body) and endogenous (caused by factors within the body). Cushing's syndrome can be caused by factors such as corticosteroid medications like prednisone or a tumor causing the body to produce too much cortisol.
- Cushing's Disease: This is a specific type of Cushing's syndrome that occurs when a pituitary tumor causes the body to make too much cortisol. Cushing's disease is the most common form of endogenous Cushing's syndrome, accounting for about 70% of cases.
In summary, the main difference between Cushing's syndrome and Cushing's disease is the cause of the excess cortisol production: Cushing's syndrome can result from various factors, while Cushing's disease is specifically caused by a pituitary tumor.
Comparative Table: Cushings Disease vs Cushings Syndrome
Cushing's Disease and Cushing's Syndrome are both conditions related to excess cortisol in the body, but they have different causes and characteristics. Here is a table comparing the two:
| Feature | Cushing's Disease | Cushing's Syndrome |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Tumor on the pituitary gland that produces too much ACTH | Excess cortisol can be due to external factors (e.g., corticosteroid medications) or internal factors (e.g., adrenal tumor, adrenal hyperplasia) |
| Definition | Specific disorder caused by excess levels of cortisol in the body due to the pituitary tumor | Condition resulting from long-term exposure to excess cortisol |
| Treatment | Transphenoidal removal of the tumor is the treatment of choice | Treatment depends on the cause (e.g., radiation, surgery, pharmacologic therapy) |
| Genetic Mutations | Menin 1, NR3C1, AIP, TP53, and NR0B1 | CTNNB1, APC, and PRKACA |
Both conditions can lead to high blood pressure, high blood sugar or diabetes, extreme fatigue, trouble sleeping, depression, memory loss, and other symptoms. However, Cushing's Disease is a specific disorder caused by a pituitary tumor that produces too much ACTH, while Cushing's Syndrome can be caused by various factors and is a broader term for the condition of excess cortisol in the body.
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