Question 1

what is an adrenal tumor? is it dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Depends: A few percent of healthy folks have little round tumors in the adrenals found incidentally on scans.  Radiologists can tell the ones that might be dangerous.  Neuroblastoma (a young person's tumor), pheochromocytoma, or a cortisol- or aldosterone-producing tumor can all produce months / years of vague symptoms before they are detected & treated, and missed tumors can be lethal.  Good luck.

Question 2

what is likelihood my adrenal tumor will be benign/malignant. the tumor is not producing hormones. drs say malignancy is poss, but not high on list.

Accepted Answer

Need to examine: The only way to know is to remove the tumor and have it examined by a pathologist.
Wish you good health!

Question 3

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 4

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 5

what sort of problem is an adrenal tumor?

Accepted Answer

Variable: Adrenal adenomas are noncancerous tumors that are common.  If they are small and do not produce hormones, they can be watched with ct scans.  Some produce hormones - these need to be removed surgically. Pheochromocytomas are tumors that produce Adrenalin like hormones and increase blood pressure - they must be removed.  Adrenal cancers are rare.

Question 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

what is the definition or description of: adrenal tumor?

Accepted Answer

Growth within gland: The adrenal gland has a medullary center producing adrenaline like products and a cortex producing cortisone.   Majority of lesions are asymptomatic represented by  small adenomas that usually can be left behind.  Cortical lesions can present as large pheochromocytomas  that may be functional with severe hypertenision.   Cortical tumors may present with Cushings disease.

Question 10

abnormal for years imo. what are tests for adrenal tumor?

Accepted Answer

Hormones and CT: Tests for adrenal function:  blood and urine tests for catecholamines (pheochromocytomas produce elevated BP and other symptoms), aldosterone blood levels (conn's syndrome produces elevated BP and low potassium blood levels) and cortisol levels (cushing syndrome). Ct may be useful if hormonal abnormalities are detected.  If cushing's is strongly suspected, additional blood tests are required.

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Doctor answers about:

What is adrenal tumor

A member asked:

What is an adrenal tumor? is it dangerous?

A member asked:

What is likelihood my adrenal tumor will be benign/malignant. the tumor is not producing hormones. drs say malignancy is poss, but not high on list.

A member asked:

How is an adrenal tumor diagnosed?

A member asked:

Should a 4.2 mm adrenal tumor be removed?

A member asked:

What sort of problem is an adrenal tumor?

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:

What is the definition or description of: adrenal tumor?

A member asked:

Abnormal for years imo. what are tests for adrenal tumor?

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