Medical Services

Adrenal tumors are abnormal growths that arise in the adrenal glands, small organs that sit atop the kidneys and produce hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline, and sex steroids. Many adrenal tumors are non?functioning adenomas, discovered incidentally on imaging, and cause no symptoms or hormone imbalance, often requiring only monitoring rather than surgery.

When tumors are “functioning,” they over?secrete hormones, leading to conditions like Cushing’s syndrome (excess cortisol), primary aldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome, with high blood pressure and low potassium), or pheochromocytoma (excess adrenaline causing spells of severe headache, sweating, and rapid heartbeat). Symptoms may include unexplained weight gain or loss, muscle weakness, mood changes, and metabolic abnormalities such as diabetes or hypokalemia.

Malignant adrenal tumors, such as adrenocortical carcinoma, are rare but aggressive and often present with hormone?specific signs plus abdominal or back pain, weight loss, and palpable mass. Diagnosis combines blood and urine tests, hormone assays, and imaging (CT/MRI/PET), sometimes with genetic testing. Treatment may involve surgical removal (adrenalectomy), hormone?blocking drugs, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, tailored to tumor type, size, and hormone activity.