A small adenoma that does not cause symptoms and is not producing hormones excessively often does not need treatment. It is a noncancerous tumor of the adrenal cortex that can be functioning or nonfunctioning. Adenoma is also called an adrenocortical adenoma. This is the most common type of adrenal gland tumor. Primary adrenal gland tumors include the following:Īdenoma. An adrenal gland tumor may also result from a cancer that began in another organ, such as the lungs, and then spread to the adrenal gland through a process called metastasis. A primary adrenal gland tumor starts in an adrenal gland. This section focuses on primary adrenal gland tumors. In rare cases, they may produce more than 1 hormone. Whether the tumor started in the adrenal gland or spread from another organįunctional adrenal gland tumors may produce any hormone made in the adrenal gland. Whether the tumor is functioning or nonfunctioning
When it does, the tumor is called a “functioning tumor.” An adrenal gland tumor that does not produce hormones is called a “nonfunctioning tumor.” The symptoms and treatment of an adrenal gland tumor depend on: A benign tumor means the tumor can grow but will not spread.Īn adrenal gland tumor can sometimes produce too much of a hormone. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. These hormones, often called catecholamines, control the body’s responses to stress, including the “fight or flight” adrenaline surge.Ī tumor begins when healthy cells change and grow out of control, forming a mass. The adrenal medulla makes 3 hormones: epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The inner part of the adrenal glands is called the medulla. These hormones carefully control metabolism, blood pressure, and body features, such as hair growth and body shape.Īdrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex makes 3 main hormones: cortisol, aldosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The outer part of the adrenal gland is called the cortex. Hormones are chemical substances that are carried through the bloodstream to have a specific effect on the activity of other organs or cells in the body.Įach adrenal gland has 2 main parts that function separately:Īdrenal cortex. The endocrine system is made up of tissues and organs that produce hormones. These glands are important to the body’s endocrine system. The adrenal glands are small, yellowish in color, and normally weigh about 10 grams. About the adrenal glandsĮach person has 2 adrenal glands. Think of that menu as a roadmap to this entire guide. This is the first page of Cancer.Net’s Guide to Adrenal Gland Tumors. ON THIS PAGE: You will find some basic information about this type of tumor and the parts of the body they may affect.
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