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There are important chemicals in your body called glucocorticoids, which are steroid hormones produced in your adrenal glands. Glucocorticoids – particularly one called cortisol help with many bodily processes, such as metabolism and your ability to fight infection. Glucocorticoids (both natural and synthetic) are also used in medicines for conditions such as allergies, respiratory problems, and skin problems.
Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal disorder
Cushing’s syndrome is the term used to describe a group of symptoms that occur when a persons’ cortisol levels are too high (known as hypercortisolism) for too long. The majority of people have Cushing’s syndrome because they are regularly taking certain medicine(s) that continually add too much cortisol to the body. Doctors call this an “exogenous” (outside the body) cause of Cushing’s syndrome. Other people have Cushing’s syndrome because something is causing the adrenal gland(s) to overproduce cortisol. Doctors call this an “endogenous” (inside the body) cause of Cushing’s syndrome.
Cushing’s disease is the most common form of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome. It is caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland that secretes excessive amounts of a hormone called Adrenocorticotropic hormone, or ACTH. Fortunately, this type of tumor is typically benign. Unlike a cancerous (malignant) tumor, a benign tumor stays in its original location and will not spread. After you are diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, it is important that your doctor continues the diagnostic process to determine the cause of hypercortisolism.
How a pituitary tumor causes Cushing’s disease
ACTH is a hormone produced in your pituitary gland. ACTH travels to your adrenal glands and signals them to produce cortisol (see diagram below).
From http://www.aboutcushings.com/understanding-cushings-disease/causes-and-differences.jsp