Question 1

i have a 16cm adrenal tumor and pain in my side and back. what can they do?

Accepted Answer

Take it out: First you have to figure out if it is a secreting tumor.  For example, there are certain adrenal tumors called pheochromocytomas that secrete adrenaline.  So if you try to take it out without knowing this, it can cause a hypertensive crisis.  In my opinion it should be done by a surgeon who does this a lot.  Good luck.  Hope this helped.

Question 2

how is an adrenal tumor diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Imaging studies: Imaging studies (ct scan, mri, u/s) are used to diagnosed an adrenal tumor...Then you need lab tests to know if the tumor is producing hormones...

Question 3

should a 4.2 mm adrenal tumor be removed?

Accepted Answer

It depends.: First of all, I am assuming you mean a 4.2 centimeter tumor.  If so, the first issue is to determine if this tumor is "functional", meaning that it secretes abnormal amounts of normal substances such as Epinephrine or steroids.  If it is not functional, most people will watch tumors less than 4 CM and remove those larger than 6cm; the decision for those 4-6cm is often based on one's age and health.

Question 4

adrenal tumor: what symptoms would one have?

Accepted Answer

Depends: This entirely depends on the type of tumor. If it is functional then you might have overproduction of cortical or medullary hormones, depending on location. If the tumor is destructive possible underproduction of hormones. Some tumors are metastatic from other cancers and some are just incidentally found. Therefore it's possible to also have no symptoms.

Question 5

which symptoms are signs of active adrenal tumor?

Accepted Answer

Various: Symptoms will depend on the final product produced by the tumor cell line. If predominantly cortisol secreting, you would expect cushing's manifestations as such rounded face, purple striae marks on abdomen, hair loss, muscle weakness, easily bruisability, etc. On the other hand, if the tumor is predominantly secreting androgens, then you would expect worsening acne, hirsutism, and also hair loss.

Question 6

do adrenal tumor symptoms happen at any time of day?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: The most common adrenal hormone is cortisol. This hormone has a "diurnal" or morning-evening variation. This variation is lost when there is a tumor producing this hormone, since a tumor is unchecked growth and therefore does not come under the usual control of other feedback methods.

Question 7

please explain what are some symptoms of an adrenal tumor?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Adrenal tumors are of two major types, cortex and medullary tumors. Cortical cancers produce steroid hormones and medullary ones produce catecholemines. Medullar tumors produce high blood pressure where as symptoms of cortical tumors depend on the hormone produced. See this site for more info.

http://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/your-adrenal-glands.

Question 8

when is it reasonable to demand the removal of an adrenal tumor?

Accepted Answer

Activity, Size: Any adrenal tumor that is producing excessive amounts of adrenal hormones requires treatment; this can be determined by a battery of blood and urine tests.  If the tumor is "non-functioning" (as most are), removal is dependent upon size:  those under 4cm can be watched; those over 6cm should be removed; for those "in the middle", it depends upon what it looks like by ct or MRI criteria.

Question 9

for those who have suffered from an adrenal tumor, can you explain the symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Various: The adrenal has two parts: cortex and medulla. Cortex produces cortisol, aldosterone and sex hormones; medulla procudes epinepherine type compounds. Depends on the tumor, but you may have a syndrome presentation (cushing, addison), or high blood pressure, nose bleeds, brown skin, etc. This is something where the type of tumor will determine the exact type of symptoms.

Question 10

i have adrenal tumor. if left untreated, what effect will it have on my long-term health?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Depends on the size of the tumor and whether or not it's doing anything (producing any hormone).  If the tumor is small and it is a non-functioning tumor, you might not have to do anything about it and can live a normal life with no effect on your life expectancy.  There are many people who currently has an adrenal tumor and might not even know it.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Adrenal tumor and pain

A member asked:

I have a 16cm adrenal tumor and pain in my side and back. what can they do?

A member asked:

How is an adrenal tumor diagnosed?

A member asked:

Should a 4.2 mm adrenal tumor be removed?

A member asked:

Adrenal tumor: what symptoms would one have?

A member asked:

Which symptoms are signs of active adrenal tumor?

A member asked:

Do adrenal tumor symptoms happen at any time of day?

A member asked:

Please explain what are some symptoms of an adrenal tumor?

A member asked:

When is it reasonable to demand the removal of an adrenal tumor?

A member asked:

For those who have suffered from an adrenal tumor, can you explain the symptoms?

A member asked:

I have adrenal tumor. if left untreated, what effect will it have on my long-term health?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?