Are you aware of these tumors growing inside your body? (Adrenal Adenoma)

When you have a CT scan for some other health problem, it can be a bit scary if the doctor suddenly tells you that you have a small tumor inside your body. But don't worry. Not all tumors that develop in the body are cancerous. Today we're talking about a type of tumor that is found by chance, but is usually not dangerous. That is adrenal adenoma.

Simply put, what is adrenal adenoma?

Okay, let's start at the beginning. Above our kidneys, like two little hats, there are two triangular-shaped glands. These are what we call the adrenal glands . Although they are small, they perform a very important function in our body. When we are under stress, these glands produce hormones that help us cope with it, hormones that control many things, such as blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and the immune system.

Adrenal Adenoma is a benign, non-cancerous tumor that forms on the outer part of the adrenal glands (adrenal cortex). These tumors often do not show symptoms and do not require treatment.

There are two types of these nuts, right?

Yes, that's right. These adrenal adenomas can be divided into two main parts. If you understand this, a lot of things will become clear to you.

The question many people have is: Could this be cancer?

This is the biggest fear that comes to everyone's mind. But in reality, the chance of an adrenal adenoma turning into cancer is very, very small . The type of cancer that develops in the adrenal gland is called adrenocortical carcinoma . It is a very rare condition. Roughly speaking, this type of cancer occurs in about one in a million people. So, if your doctor says you have an adenoma, keep in mind that the chance of it turning into cancer is very small.

What effects does a functioning adenoma have on the body?

While dormant cysts are harmless, active cysts can cause some health conditions because they produce more hormones than the body needs.

• Cushing's syndrome : This condition occurs when the adrenal gland produces too much of the hormone cortisol . It can cause high blood pressure, especially around the belly, and problems with sexual function. It also increases the risk of diabetes.
• Primary aldosteronism (Conn's syndrome): This is caused by the overproduction of a hormone called aldosterone . This can cause high blood pressure, low potassium levels in the body, headaches, extreme fatigue, and muscle weakness.
• Sex hormone problems: Very rarely, these tumors can produce too much sex hormone. For example, if a woman's body has too much male hormones (androgens), it can cause irregular menstrual cycles , excessive body hair growth (hirsutism), and a hoarse voice. If a man has too much estrogen, it can cause a decrease in sexual desire and erectile dysfunction.

What are the main symptoms of this?

We now know that dormant tumors do not cause symptoms. However, if there is an active tumor, these symptoms may occur depending on the type of hormone being overproduced.

Why do these adenomas form?

Researchers have not yet found a specific cause for these tumors. However, some genetic conditions have been found to increase the risk of developing them. Obesity and tobacco use may also be risk factors.

How do you find this, Doctor?

Most of the time, these tumors are discovered incidentally. That is, they are discovered during an abdominal scan (CT scan or MRI) for another condition. For this reason, they are sometimes called "incidentalomas," meaning something that is found by chance.

If the doctor sees a lump like this, the first thing he does is confirm whether it's cancerous or not. Then, if it's an adenoma, he tests to see if it's active or inactive.

• Blood and urine tests : These check whether your hormone levels are normal or elevated. You may also need to collect a 24-hour urine sample.
• Imaging: A CT scan is the most common test used. Sometimes an MRI scan may also be done. These scans can give a rough idea of ​​whether the tumor is cancerous or not, depending on its size and nature. For example, tumors larger than 4 centimeters are more likely to be cancerous.
• Biopsy: If other tests are inconclusive, your doctor may recommend a biopsy. This involves taking a very small piece of tissue from the lump using a thin needle and examining it under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells .

What are the treatments?

The treatment method depends on whether you have an active or inactive tumor.

A nonfunctioning tumor is:

If the tumor is small and inactive, it is often not treated. Instead, your doctor will repeat CT scans at regular intervals to monitor whether the tumor is growing or becoming active. If the tumor is growing rapidly or is closer to 5 centimeters, surgery may be recommended to remove it, given the risk of cancer.

A functioning tumor is:

The treatment for these types of tumors is often surgery.

• Adrenalectomy: This is the surgical removal of the adrenal gland . If the tumor is small, laparoscopy may be used.This surgery can be done through a few small incisions in the abdomen and with the help of a camera. If the tumor is large or if there is a suspicion of cancer, a general surgery will be performed using a large incision in the back. When one gland is removed, the remaining gland can produce the hormones needed by the body. If that is not possible, the hormones will have to be taken in the form of pills.
• Medications: If you are not a good candidate for surgery, your doctor may prescribe medications to control the production of hormones from the tumor.

After treatment, especially after surgical removal of the tumor , symptoms resolve almost completely. The results are very good.