What Should You Know About Adrenal Adenoma?

Jan 31, 2024

An adrenal adenoma is a medical condition characterized by the presence of a non-cancerous tumor in the adrenal glands. These adenomas on adrenal gland tissue are typically benign but can sometimes affect hormone production, leading to various health concerns. According to studies, it's estimated that about 2% of the general population has an adrenal adenoma.

With a proper understanding of adrenal adenoma, you will know that this simple condition is commonly harmless and can be easily managed. In this blog, you will learn everything about adrenal adenoma.

What Is an Adrenal Adenoma?

An adrenal adenoma is a benign or non-cancerous tumor that develops in the adrenal glands. This type of adenoma adrenal gland growth may influence hormone balance, especially when classified as an adrenal cortical adenoma, which originates in the outer layer of the adrenal gland.

In most cases, an adrenal adenoma doesn't cause trouble and only takes place inside your body. However, there can be a chance that your adrenal adenoma can make the same hormones as your adrenal glands. The extra hormones from the tumor can lead to several conditions.

Types of Adrenal Adenomas You Can Have

There are two types of adrenal adenomas you can have. They are as follows:

Functioning (active) Adrenal Adenomas: These tumors secrete excessive adrenal gland hormones and may cause symptoms. There are also times when higher levels of hormones released by the tumor can lead to severe conditions that require treatment.
Nonfunctioning (inactive) Adrenal Adenomas: This type of tumor doesn't produce an excessive amount of adrenal hormones. The majority of adrenal adenomas don't function, and they don't have any symptoms that need any treatment.

Some adrenal adenomas are also identified as lipid rich adenoma, meaning they contain fat cells and are usually easier to detect through imaging tests.

Can an Adrenal Adenoma Become Cancerous?

The chance of an adrenal adenoma becoming cancerous is extremely low. According to NCBI, less than 1% of these tumors are cancerous. Adrenocortical carcinoma is the most frequent type of cancerous tumor that develops in your adrenal glands. Functioning adrenocortical carcinoma tumors release excess hormones, much like adrenal adenomas do. They usually produce symptoms akin to those of a functioning adrenal adenoma.

Symptoms of an Adrenal Adenoma

A functioning adrenal adenoma can lead to noticeable hormonal imbalance. Common signs and symptoms of adrenal adenoma may include:

Severe headaches
Occasional weakness and numbness in the muscles.
Backaches
Fatigue
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Sudden weight gain in your upper region
Mood swings
Irregularities in the menstrual cycle

These may also reflect underlying adrenal cortical adenoma symptoms, particularly when excess cortisol or aldosterone is involved.

What Causes Adrenal Adenomas?

The exact adrenal adenoma causes, which are small, non-cancerous growths in the adrenal glands, is unclear. However, your chances of developing this type of tumor increase if you have certain genetic conditions, such as:

Li-Fraumeni syndrome
Multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 1 (MEN1)
Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
Carney complex

How Are Adrenal Tumors Diagnosed?

Most of the time, you won't realize that you have adrenal adenoma, as this condition has fewer noticeable symptoms. Most of the time, the healthcare provider may discover this tumor during an imaging procedure for a different medical condition. Thus, these tumors are sometimes called "incidentalomas" since they are found incidentally or by chance.

Your healthcare provider will first assess if the tumor is malignant or benign. If it's an adrenal adenoma, they will perform various tests to see if it's secreting extra hormones.

Tests Used to Diagnose Adrenal Adenoma

Various tests can be performed to diagnose an adrenal adenoma. Some of the tests include:

Blood and Urine Tests: These tests check for certain hormones that the adrenal glands make. If there's an adenoma, the hormone levels might be different.
Imaging Tests: Pictures of the adrenal glands are taken using CT scans or MRIs. This helps doctors see if there are any lumps or growths.
Biopsy (rarely): Sometimes, a tiny piece of the growth is taken and examined. However, this is less common, as imaging tests often provide enough information.
Adrenal Vein Sampling: In some cases, doctors might take a sample of blood from the veins around the adrenal glands to analyze hormone levels and identify any problems.

Final Thoughts

Adrenal adenoma is a non-cancerous tumor that occurs in people all across the world. However, you don't need to worry too much, as these tumors are not life-threatening in normal circumstances. With advancements in technology, the success rate and complete removal of these tumors have increased by a significant margin. So, it's only ideal to get these tumors removed before they cause any problems.

Get the Best Adrenal Adenoma Treatment at Far North Surgery in Anchorage, AK

If you have an adrenal adenoma and are looking for treatment, then Far North Surgery is the right place. Our highly competent, board-certified doctors in Anchorage, AK, specialize in offering high-quality care and comprehensive treatment. They also work closely with other specialists to ensure all our patients receive the best possible treatment.

Dr. Madhu Prasad, our experienced surgeon, has been honored with the Best of Anchorage Awards for Cancer Treatment. His proficiency in the latest surgical techniques ensures that you will receive the highest level of care every time you visit our clinic. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment plans.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adrenal Adenoma

1. Are adrenal adenomas usually discovered during routine scans?

Yes, many are found incidentally during imaging for unrelated health concerns.

2. Can lipid-rich adrenal adenomas affect hormone levels?

Most are non-functioning, but some may still influence hormone production.

3. Is surgery always required for adrenal adenomas?

Treatment depends on size, symptoms, and hormone activity.

4. Do adrenal adenomas grow over time?

Some remain stable, while others may increase in size and require monitoring.

5. Can adrenal cortical adenomas impact metabolism?

Yes, hormone-producing tumors may influence blood pressure, weight, and glucose levels.

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Far North Surgery

Far North Surgery is a fully licensed and certified general surgery center in Anchorage, with a special focus on Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery. We are committed to providing, safe and successful surgical procedures by combining best-in-class patient care with state-of-the-art equipment.