Benign Adrenal Tumors

Definition: Benign adrenal tumors are the noncancerous masses which are observed in the adrenal glands. There are two adrenal glands, each one located on top of each kidney.

Symptoms: Fat deposits behind the neck and shoulders, Weight gain, often around the chest and stomach, Purple stretch marks on the stomach, High blood pressure, Weakness.

Disease Status:To clarify the indication of surgery in incidentally discovered asymptomatic adrenal masses, we analyzed 386 Japanese cases, 379 cases reported in Japan during the past 25 years (from 1964 to 1988) and 7 cases from our own experience. From a total of 460 patients, we carefully selected 379 patients satisfying our criterion of the absence of symptoms and signs suggestive of active hormone over-secretion as described in each case report. From the Japanese series, there was a high incidence of pheochromocytoma patients (20 of 37 patients) who had no symptoms and signs but had high plasma or urine catecholamines.

Treatment

Surgical Treatment

Surgical removal of an adrenal gland, or adrenalectomy, is most commonly performed for a tumor located within the adrenal gland that is overproducing hormones.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Some patients may not be able to have their tumors treated surgically because of the way it is growing or if it is cancerous and has spread to other parts of the body. In these cases, the patient should work with their endocrinologist to determine the best course of treatment.