A 43-year-old male is seen at the clinic with complaints of weight gain, bruising, and weakness. The patient is diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome, most likely caused by a(n):
Explanation
• A benign pituitary adenoma is the most common endogenous cause of Cushing's syndrome, accounting for 70% of endogenous Cushing's syndrome
• The most common exogenous cause of Cushing's syndrome is the administration of glucocorticoids
• Cushing's syndrome is the elevated secretion of cortisol. Cushing's disease refers to the pituitary-dependent causes of Cushing's syndrome, such as an adenoma
• Adrenal tumors and adrenal hyperplasia are less common causes of Cushing's syndrome
• Autoimmune disorders are not associated with Cushing's syndrome