Adrenal tumours

Symptoms | Treatments

What is

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

What is - Adrenal tumours

Adrenal tumours are growths that form in the adrenal glands. You have two adrenal glands, one above each kidney. These glands produce hormones which are important for many bodily functions.

Most adrenal tumours are benign and do not cause any symptoms; these do not require treatment. Some adrenal tumours may be cancerous and need to be surgically removed.

Sometimes, both benign and cancerous adrenal tumours may secrete high levels of certain hormones that can cause health problems. These hormones include aldosterone, cortisol, adrenaline/noradrenaline or male hormones. In such cases, treatment may include surgery or medications.

Symptoms of Adrenal tumours

Small, benign adrenal tumours usually cause no symptoms. Overproduction of hormones by adrenal tumours may cause symptoms such as:

Aldosterone: high blood pressure, low potassium levels
Cortisol: weight gain, thin skin which bruises easily, high blood pressure, high glucose levels or diabetes mellitus, low potassium levels
Adrenaline / noradrenaline: headaches, heart palpitations, panic attacks, turning pale, high blood pressure
Male hormones: Women may notice increased body and facial hair, acne and male pattern hair loss

Diagnosis of Adrenal tumours

Adrenal tumours are usually detected on a CT or MRI scan of the abdomen. Levels of certain hormones in the blood or urine can be measured to determine if the adrenal tumour is overproducing these hormones.