Medical Dictionary: Hypercortisolism

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Hypercortisolism: Another name for Cushing's syndrome.
Hypercortisolism (condition): Rare hormone disorder often caused by adrenal or pituitary tumors.
Hypercortisolism (condition): Cushing's syndrome is a disorder of the adrenal glands leading to excess cortisol secretion. This means that there is too much cortisol hormone in the blood. It can be caused by an adrenal gland failure, or it can result from a pituitary tumor or other tumor that secretes ACTH which in turn stimulates the adrenal glands to over-produce cortisol.

Hypercortisolism: Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol. Sometimes called "hypercortisolism," it is relatively rare and most commonly affects adults aged 20 to 50. An estimated 10 to 15 of every million people are affected each year. ¹

More information on medical condition: Cushing's syndrome:

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Cushing's Syndrome: NIDDK

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