Medically Verified By: Dr. Gagan Gautam, Vice Chairman, Uro- Oncology And Robotic Surgery, Medanta, Gurugram.
Are Adrenal Tumors Always Cancerous? Warning Signs of Cancer Every Patient Should Know
Adrenal glands are small glands located above the kidneys. They secrete hormones that help the body respond to stress, and regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and immune system by secreting hormones like cortisol, aldosterone, dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine.
Adrenal tumours may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Adrenal adenomas are non-cancerous growths in adrenal glands. Adrenal adenomas don't usually cause symptoms or require treatment. Some of them may secrete adrenal hormones and cause symptoms. The most common cancerous tumour that forms in adrenal glands is adreno-cortical carcinoma.
Types of Adrenal Tumors You Should Know
Adrenal tumours can be in any of the following combinations:
Functioning (active) adrenal adenomas secrete excess adrenal gland hormones and may cause symptoms that require treatment.
Nonfunctioning (inactive) adrenal adenomas don't produce excess adrenal hormones. Most adrenal adenomas are nonfunctioning. They don't cause symptoms or require treatment.
Nonfunctioning (inactive) adrenal carcinoma don't produce excess adrenal hormones.
What Are The Symptoms of Adrenal Adenoma?
Hormone-secreting adrenal tumours can lead to the following types of symptoms:
Cushing's syndrome: This condition occurs when adrenal tumor secretes cortisol. Symptoms include high blood pressure, weight gain and sexual dysfunction. It can increase the likelihood of diabetes.
Conn's syndrome: This condition occurs when adrenal tumor secretes aldosterone. Signs and symptoms include low potassium levels, high blood pressure, headache, fatigue and muscle weakness.
An adrenal tumor may secrete excess androgens (for example, testosterone) and may lead to irregular periods, increased body hair (hirsutism), a deeper voice, etc in females. Too much oestrogen in males may cause decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction.
Pheochromocytoma: in this condition adrenal produces excess metanephrines leading to raised blood pressure, palpitations, headache and sweating.
Other key symptoms of adrenal adenoma
Functioning adrenal adenomas may produce symptoms related to having excess hormones in the body, especially excess cortisol (Cushing's syndrome) or excess aldosterone (Primary aldosteronism).
Signs and symptoms may include:
You may like to read
Headache.
Muscle weakness or occasional numbness.
Fatigue and muscle pains.
High blood pressure (Hypertension).
Diabetes
Stretch marks on abdomen.
Weight gain, especially in the upper body.
Mood changes (feeling anxious, panicked or depressed).
Irregular menstrual cycles and increased masculine characteristics (virilization).
What Causes Adrenal Adenomas?
No dietary or environmental risk factor has been associated with adrenal tumour, however, certain genetic conditions may increase risk.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 1 (MEN1).
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
Carney complex.
Li-Fraumeni syndrome
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2).
How Are Adrenal Tumors Diagnosed?
Adrenal adenomas are routinely diagnosed during an imaging procedure for an unrelated medical condition thus sometimes called "incidentalomas". In other cases, they are diagnosed upon evaluation of symptoms like hypertension, hirsutism, headaches and palpitations.
What Tests Are Used To Diagnose Adrenal Adenoma?
Following set of tests are done to evaluate an adrenal adenoma to know its location, size, number, characteristics including functional status.
Blood or urine test: A blood or urine test is used to check for elevated hormone levels that may be a sign of a functioning tumor.
Imaging: A CT scan is the most commonly used imaging procedure used to diagnose adrenal adenoma. Imaging also helps determine whether a tumor is malignant or benign. For example, larger tumors (more than 4 centimetres) are more likely to be cancerous than smaller tumors.
How To Treast Adrenal Adenoma?
Small nonfunctioning tumors are managed conservatively with periodic CT scans to ensure it doesn't increase in size or become functional. If the tumor grows rapidly or gets bigger (Greater than 4 cm), removal is recommended. Large tumors and rapid growth increase the likelihood of a tumor becoming cancerous.
Treatments for functioning tumors almost always involve surgery.
Adrenalectomy: Adrenal tumors can be removed via open, laparoscopic or robotic approach. For a larger tumor or one that may be cancerous an open procedure may be preferred. Patient is simultaneously started on medicines that prevent the adenoma from making excessive amounts of hormones.
Is Robotic Surgery Better Than Open Surgery?
Robotic procedure offers several advantages over conventional surgery including but not limited to less blood loss and less need for blood transfusion, less pain, lower risk of complications/wound complications, shorter hospital stays and fewer days with catheter and faster recovery and return to normal activities
What Is The Long-Term Prognosis For Adrenal Adenoma?
Treatment outcomes after adrenalectomy for benign tumors are excellent. Removing the affected adrenal gland often relieves the symptoms related to functional adrenal adenomas. Patients with adreno-cortical carcinoma may require additional therapy after surgery.
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
