The paired adrenal glands secrete several hormones that help regulate diverse actions in several body systems. The outer region of the gland, known as the adrenal cortex, produces aldosterone, cortisol and androgens, or male sex hormones. The adrenal medulla, located in the inner region of the gland, produces epinephrine and norepinephrine. Noncancerous and cancerous tumors of the adrenal cortex or medulla may secrete high levels of one or more of the adrenal hormones, leading to characteristic symptoms of hormone excess.
Increased Urinary Frequency and Thirst
The hormone aldosterone acts on the kidneys, promoting excretion of potassium and retention of sodium and water. Ongoing aldosterone excess caused by an adrenal cortical tumor leads to an imbalance in the sodium and potassium levels in the body. Patients typically exhibit an elevated blood sodium level and a depressed potassium concentration. The sodium and potassium imbalance often triggers an increase in urinary frequency and thirst, reports Merck Manuals Online Medical Library.
Episodic Weakness
Elevated sodium and decreased potassium levels in the body associated with an aldosterone-producing adrenal tumor can adversely affect muscle function. Patients with these tumors may experience episodic muscle weakness, report Dr. Florencia Halperin of Harvard Medical School and colleagues on the endocrinology reference website Endotext.org.
Hirsutism, Baldness and Acne
Patients with androgen-secreting tumors of the adrenal cortex experience physical symptoms of male sex hormone excess. Increased body hair, or hirsutism, scalp hair loss and new or worsening acne prove common symptoms in patients with abnormally elevated androgens, reports Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Hirsutism among female patients may involve the growth of coarse hair on the face, chest, back, abdomen, toes and fingers.
Menstrual Irregularity
Women with androgen-secreting adrenocortical tumors typically experience menstrual irregularities, often leading to absence of menstruation. The androgenic hormones secreted by the tumor alter the balance between the female and male sex hormone levels in the body, leading to partial or complete suppression of monthly ovulation. Patients may also experience reduced breast tissue, enlargement of the clitoris and increased muscle mass, reports Merck Manuals Online Medical Library.
Heart Palpitations and Chest Pain
Patients with hormone-secreting adrenal medullary tumors, or pheochromocytomas, exhibit symptoms of epinephrine and norepinephrine excess. These hormones, commonly known as the "fight or flight" hormones, often trigger dramatic symptoms, including heart palpitations. Patients typically report awareness of a pounding, rapid heartbeat, report Dr. Marybeth Hughes of the National Cancer Institute and colleagues on Endotext.org. Chest pain may accompany heart palpitations in some patients.
Headache
Headache proves a hallmark symptom of pheochromocytoma, notes Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Excess epinephrine and norepinephrine associated with a pheochromocytoma cause a markedly elevated blood pressure, commonly provoking severe headaches.
