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Kidney Adrenal Tumor

Adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys. Sometimes the inner layer (medulla) or outer layer (cortex) of these glands can develop either cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign) tumors, according to the Mayo Clinic.

  1. Significance

    • Malignant adrenal tumors account for only about 250 cancer cases every year in the United States, but benign tumors are more common, especially in people over 40, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Identification

    • Tumors starting in the adrenal glands may be found by chance during a test like a CT scan or may be identified because there is an overproduction of hormones, according to the Center for Pancreatic and Biliary Disease (the Department of Surgery at the University of Southern California).

    Effects

    • Hormones produced by adrenal tumors may lead to Cushing's syndrome (obesity, irregular menstruation and osteoporosis), Conn's syndrome (high blood pressure and low potassium) or pheochromocytoma (high blood pressure and altered heartbeat), according to the Center for Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases.

    Considerations

    • Some adrenal tumors do not require treatment. However, the Center for Pancreatic and Biliary diseases recommends that these tumors be monitored in case they increase in size.

    Treatment

    • Treatment options for adrenal tumors include surgical removal of cancerous areas (adrenal tumors may spread beyond the glands) as well as radiation and chemotherapy (anti-cancer medications) to kill cancerous cells, according to the American Cancer Society.

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