What is the difference between Cushing’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome?

Marisa Wexler, MS avatar

by Marisa Wexler, MS |

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What is the difference between Cushing’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome?

Category: Causes

Cushing’s syndrome is a broad umbrella term referring to any disorder driven by high levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Cushing’s disease is a specific form of the syndrome in which high cortisol levels are driven by the presence of a tumor in the brain’s pituitary gland.

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About the Author

Marisa Wexler, MS avatar
Marisa Wexler, MS Marisa holds a Master of Science in cellular and molecular pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. Her areas of expertise include cancer biology, immunology, and genetics, and she has worked as a science writing and communications intern for the Genetics Society of America.

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