Adrenal tumor (patient information)

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 * Associate Editor-In-Chief: Jinhui Wu, M.D.

Overview
The adrenals site above each of the kidneys. It is made up of outer part called cortex and the inner portion called medulla. The function of the cortex is to make steroids for the body. Adrenal tumor includes benign and malignant. Usual adrenal tumor include adrenocortical adenoma, adrenocortical carcinoma, neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma. Every disease has different symptoms. Treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of them.

Adrenocortical adenoma
Adrenocortical adenoma is the most common type of adrenal gland tumor. The cause is not clear. Current studies show that the pathogenesis is related with some genes mutations. Some adrenocortical adenoma is a nonfunctioning tumor. Some may produce steroid hormones such as glucocorticoids, mineralcorticoids, and/or sex steroids, resulting in endocrine disorders such as Cushing's syndrome, hyperaldosteronism, virilization of females or feminization of males. Usual symptoms include weight gain, fat deposits behind the neck and shoulders, hair growth on the face, chest, and back in women, depression or moodiness, high blood pressure, muscle cramps, increased thirst, urinating very often, etc. Adrenocortical adenoma can be detected by computed tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and hormone detection. Nonfunctioning tumor dose not require any treatment. As functioning tumor is concerned, treatment include adrenalectomy. In general, the outlook of adrenocortical adenoma is good.

Adrenocortical carcinoma
Adrenocortical carcinoma is a very rare but the most common type of cancerous adrenal gland tumor begins in the cortex. It can be divided into two types: functioning tumor or nonfunctioning tumor. Usual symptoms include low back pain, abdominal pain and abdominal distension, fatigue and fever, etc. Some functioning tumor can also produce glucocorticoids, mineralcorticoids, and/or sex steroids, resulting in endocrine disorders. Adrenocortical adenoma can be detected by computed tomography (CT) scan and biopsy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biopsy, and hormone detection. Surgery is the only effective treatment for adrenocortical carcinoma patients. Generally speaking, the prognosis of adrenocortical carcinoma is poor.

Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma is a kind of adrenal medulla tumor. The causes are not completely known. Symptoms include signs caused by the main tumor, by the spread of the tumor and by hormones from the tumor. Usual symptoms include abdominal lump, bone pain, fever, constant diarrhea, fatigue and anemia. Neuroblastoma can be detected by abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan and biopsy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biopsy and hormone detection. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, retinoid therapy, stem cell transplant and combination.

Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of the adrenal medulla. It often cause the adrenal gland to make too many hormones. Usual symptoms include high blood pressure, palpitation, chest pain, headache, sweating, and anxiety. Pheochromocytoma can be detected by urine metanephrines, abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan and biopsy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biopsy. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and combination. Among the treatments, surgery is the most common.

Where to find medical care for adrenal tumor?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Adrenal tumor