Adrenal gland tumors, whether cancerous or noncancerous, are infrequent occurrences that can result in an overproduction of hormones. These abnormal growths specifically develop within the adrenal glands, disrupting their normal function and causing an imbalance in hormone secretion.
The adrenal cortex tumors have the potential to secrete aldosterone, leading to a condition known as primary aldosteronism, or commonly referred to as Conn’s syndrome. Alternatively, these tumors can also produce hydrocortisone, resulting in Cushing’s syndrome. Both of these disorders are characterized by hormonal imbalances caused by the excessive secretion of specific hormones from the adrenal cortex.
The presence of tumors in the adrenal medulla can lead to the excessive release of adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). There are two primary types of tumors that affect the adrenal medulla: phaeochromocytoma and neuroblastoma, the latter being more common among children. These tumors have the potential to cause episodes of intermittent hypertension (high blood pressure) as well as episodes of excessive sweating.
The surgical removal of either a tumor or an adrenal gland typically results in a complete cure for noncancerous tumors. On the other hand, cancerous tumors may necessitate additional treatments such as radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy to effectively combat the disease. These supplementary treatment methods are employed to target and eliminate cancer cells, ensuring a comprehensive approach to managing cancerous adrenal tumors.