Benign Adrenal Tumor

Benign adrenal tumors, known as pheochromocytomas, usually affect adults between 30 and 60 years of age, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These noncancerous tumors, which occur rarely, can be successfully treated.

Significance

• Pheochromocytomas release the adrenal hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, which regulate blood pressure and heart rate. Excessive amounts of these hormones can lead to serious conditions requiring medical attention.

Symptoms

• Pheochromocytomas usually cause high blood pressure. Other symptoms that might occur include clammy skin, palpitations, nausea, rapid pulse, emotional stress, headache and vomiting.

Diagnosis

• A diagnosis can be made based on abnormalities detected in a computed tomography (CT) scan or a radioisotope scan of the adrenal gland. Blood and urine tests can measure hormone levels to determine how much epinephrine and norepinephrine are present.

Treatment

• Prescription medications can be used to control high blood pressure. Tumors smaller than 5cm can be removed with minimally invasive surgery. Larger tumors will require a bigger incision in the back or the abdomen.

Warning

• Pheochromocytomas can be cancerous, or malignant, in rare cases and spread to other organs. Treatment options for these tumors include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.