Adrenal adenoma: causes, symptoms and treatments

Adenoma of the adrenal gland is a benign tumor formed in the glandular tissue of the adrenal cortex. Adenomas may be hormonally active (producing certain hormones) or inactive.

Adenoma of adrenal glands: causes and symptoms

Causes of adrenal adenoma are not fully understood. However installed, the dysfunction of the adrenal cortex leads to excessive synthesis of hormones (estrogens in women and androgens in men). Too much of these substances in the body provokes the development of tumors. It is believed that smokers are more likely to acquire this disease.

Symptoms of adenoma of the left and right adrenal glands due to the increase in the number of secreting hormones. It manifests the development of hormonal imbalance: in women, increases muscle mass, there is increased body hair, men grow Breasts, the figure is formed on the female type.

An increase in cortisol leads to an excess of hormones produced by the gland and in the development of Cushing's syndrome. It is manifested by changes of the skin, obesity, increased blood pressure, muscle weakness, dysfunction of sex glands, osteoporosis, disorders. Increased synthesis of the hormone aldosterone leads to the development of the syndrome in the horse (Kohn), it is characterized by constant increase in blood pressure, myasthenia gravis, low potassium levels in the blood.

The only way to detect adenomas of the adrenal gland – diagnosis by ultrasonography or computed tomography. Tests can determine size, shape, quality of the adenoma. Large tumor size (more than 30 mm in diameter) in 95% of cases indicate a malignant process. In 13% of cases of malignant components have adenomas of small size. In the course of the research a biopsy for accurate determination of hormones: keratin, cortisol, noradrenaline, adrenaline.

Treatment of adenoma of the adrenal gland

The disease can be treated only by operative method. Surgical intervention is performed as follows. The classic adenomektomii the operation is performed through an incision on the lower back. Laparoscopy allows mini access and to minimize the injury of the patient's body. The laparoscope and surgical instruments inserted through a small incision in the abdominal wall.

Adenoma of the left adrenal gland operate with less effort, more convenient access is provided by the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the body. After removal of the adenoma the treatment is to restore the functions of the adrenal glands. The patient is under the supervision of an endocrinologist. Timely diagnosed and underwent surgery adrenal adenoma have a good prognosis and will never develops. However, in the presence of malignant cells treatment will be beneficial only in 40% of cases.