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REVIEW PAPER
Diagnostics and treatment of adrenal tumors detected accidentally
1
Clinical Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Internal Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Collegium Medicum,
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland
Submission date: 2018-05-19
Final revision date: 2018-10-22
Acceptance date: 2018-10-22
Online publication date: 2018-12-15
Corresponding author
Magdalena Maria Stefanowicz-Rutkowska
Clinical Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Internal Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Kościuszki, 61/22, 10-587 Olsztyn, Poland.
Clinical Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Internal Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Kościuszki, 61/22, 10-587 Olsztyn, Poland.
Pol. Ann. Med. 2019;26(2):158-164
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
The adrenal glands are paired and located in the retroperitoneal space, above the upper pole of the kidney. Adrenal tumors depending on the histopathological structure, may be divided into: epithelial, mesenchymal, lymphoid and adrenal medulla tumors. Depending on the etiology, distinguishes between tumors, inflammatory tumors, true adrenal cysts, pseudocysts and parasitic adenomas and proliferative processes. The adrenal incydentaloma is a pathological tissue in the adrenal gland, with a diameter of ≥ 1 cm, diagnosed during diagnostics for reasons other than adrenal pathology.
Aim:
The work aims to discuss the latest available diagnostic and therapeutic methods of incidentalomas, which are an increasing clinical problem, due to the increasing availability of imaging ultrasonography and computed tomography.
Material and methods:
The paper was based on the available literature of the subject, magazines and the latest guidelines.
Results and discussion:
In diagnosing adrenal tumors, imaging diagnostics (ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography, scintigraphy, fine needle aspiration biopsy), hormonal (ACTH, cortisol, dexamethasone suppression tests, diurnal excretion of free cortisol in urine and/or 17 hydroxycorthoroids, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, androstenedione, 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, chromogranin A, metanephrins in plasma and excreted in urine and biochemic. Adrenal glands may have hormonal activity: a pheochromocytoma usually produces adrenaline and norepinephrine, and rarely dopamine; adrenocortical tumors that excessive produce cortisol cause ACTH-independent Cushing’s syndrome; adrenal tumors may also secrete excess aldosterone and androgens.
Conclusions:
Adrenal incydentaloma are common in everyday clinical practice and its treatment is established on the basis of interviews, physical examination, tumor phenotype in computed tomography and tumor hormonal activity.
The adrenal glands are paired and located in the retroperitoneal space, above the upper pole of the kidney. Adrenal tumors depending on the histopathological structure, may be divided into: epithelial, mesenchymal, lymphoid and adrenal medulla tumors. Depending on the etiology, distinguishes between tumors, inflammatory tumors, true adrenal cysts, pseudocysts and parasitic adenomas and proliferative processes. The adrenal incydentaloma is a pathological tissue in the adrenal gland, with a diameter of ≥ 1 cm, diagnosed during diagnostics for reasons other than adrenal pathology.
Aim:
The work aims to discuss the latest available diagnostic and therapeutic methods of incidentalomas, which are an increasing clinical problem, due to the increasing availability of imaging ultrasonography and computed tomography.
Material and methods:
The paper was based on the available literature of the subject, magazines and the latest guidelines.
Results and discussion:
In diagnosing adrenal tumors, imaging diagnostics (ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography, scintigraphy, fine needle aspiration biopsy), hormonal (ACTH, cortisol, dexamethasone suppression tests, diurnal excretion of free cortisol in urine and/or 17 hydroxycorthoroids, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, androstenedione, 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, chromogranin A, metanephrins in plasma and excreted in urine and biochemic. Adrenal glands may have hormonal activity: a pheochromocytoma usually produces adrenaline and norepinephrine, and rarely dopamine; adrenocortical tumors that excessive produce cortisol cause ACTH-independent Cushing’s syndrome; adrenal tumors may also secrete excess aldosterone and androgens.
Conclusions:
Adrenal incydentaloma are common in everyday clinical practice and its treatment is established on the basis of interviews, physical examination, tumor phenotype in computed tomography and tumor hormonal activity.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank the anonymous referees for their useful suggestions.
FUNDING
The work was not financed by any scientific research institution, association or other entity, the authors did not receive any grant.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have no potential conflicts of interest.
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