What does adrenal mass mean?

In short, adrenal mass is not a symptom, it is only a description of a clinical medical observation, or a rough diagnosis based on the limited known criteria. Many friends are worried when they find adrenaline mass lesions during routine physical examinations or upper abdominal CT or chest CT for other reasons. Indeed, adrenaline is an organ that is usually not noticeable, and most people know very little about it. Therefore, once a problem is found, everyone is confused and worried. This is normal.

First, let's briefly popularize some professional knowledge about adrenaline. To put it simply, adrenaline is a gland duct located above the kidney function, one above and one below. It is not large in volume. It mainly regulates the body's blood pressure, electrolyte balance, and other phenomena by metabolizing some growth hormones, such as catecholamine growth hormones, hormone drugs, aldosterone, and testosterone.

There are several common types of adrenaline tumors: 1. Inactive cystadenoma, which is more common, with a diameter of less than 3 cm, clear boundaries, no symptoms, slow growth and development, and is a benign tumor. 2. Pheochromocytoma, which metabolizes catecholamines and causes hypertension, most of which are paroxysmal, with a maximum blood pressure of more than 200 mmHg. Pheochromocytoma is generally benign, and about 10% can flare up and show malignant ecological behavior. 3. Aldosterone-producing tumor, which metabolizes aldosterone, can cause hypertension and hypokalemia. The most typical manifestation is pathological weakness of the hands and feet. 4. Adrenal cancer generally has a faster growth rate and a higher degree of malignancy. It can metabolize different growth hormones to cause relative symptoms. The imaging diagnosis is mainly manifested by a large volume, unclear boundaries, and invasive growth and development of the tumor.

For all the above tumors, except for small ineffective cystadenomas that do not require special treatment, all other tumors with symptoms should be actively treated surgically. Generally, after the adrenal mass is found, in order to confirm and diagnose it, the following tests should be done: accurate measurement of blood pressure, blood tests for electrolyte solutions, adrenal glands, medulla, pituitary gland, hypothalamus and pituitary gland various hormones. The key to imaging diagnosis is CT and MRI for adrenaline analysis. Sometimes for adrenal masses on both sides, we will also use DSA technology to perform bilateral adrenaline intravenous blood tests to determine which side is functional, to specifically guide our subsequent treatment.

The current gold standard for surgical treatment is laparoscopic renal tumor removal. This surgical treatment has the advantages of small trauma, fast recovery, clear intraoperative vision, and good treatment effect. Generally, you can resume your diet within 6 hours after the operation, get out of bed the next day, and be hospitalized within 3-4 days.

Therefore, after discovering a space-occupying lesion of adrenaline, you should go to the hospital outpatient clinic and make a choice of treatment or observation based on the diagnosis and evaluation of endocrinologists and urologists. In addition, it is important to note that inactive cystadenomas are the most common, so once discovered, there is no need to worry too much except for careful treatment.