The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys and are responsible for the production and secretion of a number of hormones that are important for the body. In some cases, small masses (tumors) can grow on the adrenal glands. Depending on the type of tumor, these growths can be a serious medical condition or completely harmless.
Forms
There are a number of different types of tumors that can appear on the adrenal glands, Cancer.net explains. Tumors can be classified based on if they are cancerous (malignant) or not (benign). Tumors can also be broken down as to whether they produce hormones or not (termed functioning and nonfunctioning tumors).
Adrenal Hormones
The adrenal glands are responsible for making a variety of different hormones, and functional tumors can produce different syndromes depending on what hormones they produce. One hormone that the adrenal glands make is aldosterone, which helps regulate the body's salt and water balance. The Department of Surgery at the University of Southern California explains that tumors that secrete aldosterone produce a condition known as Conn's syndrome, also known as primary hyperaldosteronism. . Another important adrenal hormone is cortisol, which helps modulate the body's response to stress and also regulates metabolism of sugars and fats; cortisol-producing tumors can cause Cushing's syndrome, sometimes called hypercortisolism. The center of the adrenal glands (also known as the medulla) makes adrenaline, which is responsible for the body's "fight or flight" response. Tumors that make adrenaline are, according to the Mayo Clinic, termed pheochromocytomas.
Tumor Types
The most common adrenal tumor, according to Cancer.net, is an adenoma. Adenomas are benign and nonfunctioning tumors and often cause no symptoms. The most common cancerous adrenal tumor is called an adrenocortical carcinoma, which can be functioning or nonfunctioning. Neuroblastomas are cancerous tumors of the medulla that often arise in childhood. Finally, pheochromocytomas are adrenaline-secreting cancerous tumors that typically begin in the adrenal medulla.
Diagnosis
An adrenal tumor is often first detected on a CT or MRI scan. Adenomas are often found incidentally as a result of a scan that was taken for other reasons. Blood tests that measure adrenal hormone levels can be done to determine if the tumor is functional. A biopsy of the tumor can be used to further identify the tumor and determine if it is cancerous.
Treatment
In general, adrenal tumors that are causing health problems are treated surgically. The Department of Surgery at the University of Southern California notes that for tumors that are smaller than 10 cm in diameter, laparoscopic surgery can be used to remove the tumor. Cancerous tumors are usually treated with an open adrenalectomy (a more traditional surgical removal of the adrenal gland). Smaller tumors that are not causing any symptoms, on the other hand, may simply be monitored (using a CT scan or an MRI) to ensure that they do not continue to grow.
