An adrenal gland tumor occurs when abnormal growth within a patient’s adrenal gland forms into a mass. These masses can be either malignant or benign. The adrenal glands are located on top of a person’s kidneys and are important in the body’s hormonal system. The glands are split into two parts which function individually. The adrenal cortex is the outer part of the gland and completes synthesis of cortisol, aldosterone, and DHEA. The adrenal medulla is the interior of the gland and is responsible for creating three separate hormones: dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Tumors can be classified as functioning or non-functioning depending on whether the glands continue to produce hormones. Nearly all (99%) adrenal tumors are non-functioning and are called an adenoma or adrenocortical adenoma tumor. These noncancerous masses affect the adrenal cortex and do not require treatment in many cases. Other more serious types of adrenal tumors are adrenocortical carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and neuroblastoma, which is a rare type of childhood cancer.
Although the cause of adrenal tumors is not known, certain risk factors do exist that heighten the likelihood of the condition. The primary risk factor are hereditary conditions. Patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome or Carney complex or a family history of adrenal tumors should consult a doctor every year to test for new developments. Age is also an potential risk factor. While a person of any age can develop a adrenal tumor, the average age is commonly between 45 and 50. In addition, behavioral changes, such as the decision to quit smoking, can help lessen the risk of adrenal tumors.
The detection of adrenal tumors can be difficult as often a patient does not show any noticeable symptoms. For those patients that do exhibit symptoms, the most common are as follows: high blood pressure, heart palpitations, anxiety, excessive sweating, abdominal aches, unplanned weight gain or loss, abdominal stretch marks, lowered potassium levels, headaches, diabetes, weakness, pronounced hair growth, change in sex drive, or unfamiliar acne. The uncommon cases of pheochromocytoma may also be evidenced by an unsafe hormonal surge that may result in heart attacks, hemorrhaging, strokes, or even sudden death.
A local physician will use a battery of tests to diagnose adrenal tumors and after detection, there are some treatment options available. The physician will help a patient decide on the best plan depending on the size, location, whether it has spread, and the patient’s health. For sufferers that require medical intervention, the most common treatment methods are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The surgical process, adrenalectomy, is the physical removal of the adrenal gland that contains the tumor. Depending on the size of the tumor, laparoscopic surgery may be done to remove the mass. Chemotherapy is the process of taking medications in order to kill the cancerous cells. Radiation therapy is the process of using high energy x-rays to kill the cells. Each treatment methods has specific advantages and disadvantages and a local physician will help a patient determine the best way to deal with an adrenal gland tumor.