Cushing's disease mechanism is due to what?

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Multiple Choice

Cushing's disease mechanism is due to what?

Cushing's disease is driven by excess ACTH produced by a pituitary adenoma, making it an ACTH-dependent form of Cushing's syndrome. The tumor secretes ACTH autonomously, so the adrenal cortex is overstimulated and produces too much cortisol, leading to bilateral adrenal hyperplasia and the characteristic signs of cortisol excess. This differs from adrenal tumors, which cause cortisol excess without ACTH involvement (ACTH-independent); ectopic ACTH production from non-pituitary tumors can also raise ACTH but is not due to a pituitary adenoma; and exogenous corticosteroids cause Cushing-like symptoms without any rise in ACTH.

Cushing's disease is driven by excess ACTH produced by a pituitary adenoma, making it an ACTH-dependent form of Cushing's syndrome. The tumor secretes ACTH autonomously, so the adrenal cortex is overstimulated and produces too much cortisol, leading to bilateral adrenal hyperplasia and the characteristic signs of cortisol excess. This differs from adrenal tumors, which cause cortisol excess without ACTH involvement (ACTH-independent); ectopic ACTH production from non-pituitary tumors can also raise ACTH but is not due to a pituitary adenoma; and exogenous corticosteroids cause Cushing-like symptoms without any rise in ACTH.

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