What is an adrenal adenoma?
Adrenal adenoma, also known as adrenal cortical adenoma, is a benign (noncancerous) tumor that develops in the adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys. These tumors are typically small and non-functioning, meaning they do not produce excess hormones. However, in some cases, adrenal adenomas may overproduce certain hormones, leading to hormonal imbalances and related symptoms.
What are the symptoms of an adrenal adenoma?
Adrenal adenomas may not always cause noticeable symptoms, especially if they are small and non-functioning. However, in cases where the tumor produces excess hormones, symptoms may include:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure): Excess production of aldosterone hormone by the adrenal adenoma can lead to hypertension, which may be difficult to control with medication.
- Cushing's syndrome: Adrenal adenomas that produce excess cortisol hormone can cause symptoms such as weight gain, round face ("moon face"), buffalo hump (fat accumulation on the upper back), thinning of the skin, easy bruising, and muscle weakness.
- Hyperaldosteronism: Adrenal adenomas that produce excess aldosterone hormone can cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, headache, and excessive urination.
- Incidental discovery: Adrenal adenomas are often discovered incidentally during imaging tests performed for unrelated reasons, such as abdominal CT scans or MRIs.
How is an adrenal adenoma diagnosed?
Diagnosing adrenal adenoma typically involves the following steps:
- Medical history and physical examination: Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and perform a physical examination to assess for any signs or symptoms suggestive of adrenal adenoma.
- Blood tests: Blood tests may be performed to measure hormone levels, including cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), to assess for hormonal imbalances.
- Imaging studies: Imaging tests such as CT scans, MRI scans, or adrenal vein sampling may be conducted to visualize the adrenal glands and detect the presence of adrenal adenomas.
- Biopsy: In some cases, a biopsy of the adrenal adenoma may be performed to confirm the diagnosis, although this is less common due to the risk of complications.
How is an adrenal adenoma treated?
Treatment options for adrenal adenoma depend on various factors, including the size of the tumor, whether it is producing excess hormones, and the presence of symptoms.
Treatment may include:
- Observation: Small, non-functioning adrenal adenomas that are not causing symptoms may be monitored periodically with imaging tests to assess for any changes in size or hormone production.
- Medication: In cases where adrenal adenomas are producing excess hormones, medications may be prescribed to control hormonal imbalances and manage related symptoms, such as hypertension or Cushing's syndrome.
- Surgery: Surgical removal of the adrenal adenoma may be recommended if it is causing significant hormonal imbalances, symptoms, or if there is a risk of malignancy. This procedure, known as adrenalectomy, can be performed laparoscopically (minimally invasive surgery) or through open surgery.