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Adrenal Tumors

Urologists & Sexual Medicine Experts located in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, CA
 
A pair of hands holds a glowing digital representation of human kidneys, with a stethoscope around the neck in the background. The kidneys are illustrated in a semi-transparent, holographic style, emphasizing their significance and connection to medical care and adrenal tumor treatments.

Adrenal Tumors services offered in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, CA

Providing you a multispecialty approach toward diagnosing and treating conditions. This team approach gives you the most comprehensive evaluation and an optimized treatment programed tailored specifically to your needs.

The adrenal glands are responsible for secreting a range of hormones that regulate many processes, such as blood pressure, sex hormone production, and even heart rate. When tumors develop in the adrenal glands, they may produce too much or too little of the body’s essential hormones, resulting in serious health issues. It’s important to note that while adrenal tumors may not be cancerous, treating the resulting hormone imbalance promptly is crucial to prevent serious harm.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing the signs and symptoms of adrenal tumors, do not wait to get treatment from the experienced urologists at Comprehensive Urology. Our dedicated doctors have extensive training in diagnosing and treating both benign and cancerous adrenal tumors and have access to the best technology available. To schedule a consultation, please call (310)-278-8330 or contact us online.

Table of Contents

Adrenal Tumors Q&A

What are the Signs and Symptoms?

Benign adrenal lesions or cancerous growths in the adrenal glands, which are located at the top of the kidneys, may not produce any symptoms, however, in the event that hormone production is altered, an individual may experience one or a combination of the following:

  • Excess face or body hair
  • High blood pressure
  • Sudden weight gain
  • Diabetes
  • Anxiety
  • Tremors
  • Abnormalities in salt and potassium

In order to diagnose the condition, your urologist may schedule a series of imaging and lab tests, such as a CT scan, urine studies, or needle biopsies. The symptoms of adrenal tumors are similar to those caused by Cushing’s disease, a condition in which tumors in the pituitary gland impact adrenal gland function, or Conn’s Syndrome, a condition in which a tumor in the outer part of the adrenal gland causes excessive amounts of the hormone

Treating Adrenal Gland Tumors

The recommended treatment options for adrenal tumors will depend on the patient’s age, health, medical history, and the severity of the hormone imbalance. Treatments may include:

Robotic adrenal surgery to remove all or part of the tumors and/or adrenal glands (adrenalectomy)

Administering medication to maintain normal hormone levels becomes especially important if the adrenal glands are removed.

Radiation to destroy tumor cells with high energy x-rays

Regular monitoring and observation of the adrenal glands when the tumors are non-cancerous and do not cause hormone imbalance

Following treatment, it is possible for recurrent tumors to develop, so it is vital that patients take an active approach and schedule regular screenings to monitor for whether the benign or cancerous cells have developed in the body.

Robotic Adrenal Surgery

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with adrenal tumors, whether benign or cancerous, there are a number of potential treatment options available to achieve a safe, normal hormone balance without interfering with daily life. Adrenal tumors can cause a range of health issues because the glands either produce too much or too little of the body’s necessary hormones.

At Comprehensive Urology, our exceptional team of urologists has the training and experience necessary to accurately diagnose and treat adrenal tumors with the best technology available, such as the robot-assisted surgical devices, such as the da Vinci Surgical System.

What is Involved in Robotic Adrenal Surgery?

Unlike traditional surgery in which a surgeon makes a large incision through tissue and muscle, with limited visibility, robot-assisted surgery gives surgeons better control and visualization using the most cutting-edge technology. The surgeon uses a series of small, minimally invasive robotic instruments that can perform incisions, dissections, cauterization, as well as a stereoscopic camera that provides three-dimensional high definition imagery to ensure precision and accuracy.

Whether removing only a portion of the adrenal gland or the entire gland, the robotic surgical system guarantees the preservation of healthy tissue and surrounding organs, remaining untouched.

What are the Benefits of Robot-Assisted Adrenal Surgery?

For many patients, robotic adrenal surgery is the best treatment option for adrenal tumors based on the following benefits:

  • Fewer and smaller incisions
  • Robotic camera provides clear visualization of surgery site
  • Precise removal of only cancerous tissue
  • Reduced risk of complications
  • Less blood loss and scarring
  • Shorter recovery times
  • Less hospital time 

Pheochromocytoma

Conn’s syndrome is a medical condition in which a tumor in one or both adrenal glands causes high blood pressure and low potassium levels in the blood. As a result, individuals may experience excessive urination, periods of weakness or fatigue, muscle cramps, transient paralysis, and sensations of warmth or tingling.

What is Conn’s Syndrome?

Also known as hyperaldosteronism, Conn’s syndrome is a rare metabolic disorder that most often occurs as a result of an abnormal growth or tumor in the cortex region of one or both adrenal glands. In some rare cases, cancerous growths in the adrenal glands cause the syndrome. The growths interfere with the adrenal glands, which help regulate the necessary hormones throughout the body. Instead, the body suffers from an increase in sodium, increase of blood volume and low potassium.

Additional Signs and Symptoms of Conn’s Syndrome

The most common signs and symptoms of this disorder include:

  • Excessive thirst
  • Muscle spasms
  • Kidney disease
  • Excessive urination
  • Warm or tingling sensations
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Transient paralysis 

The symptoms of hyperaldosteronism may occur continuously or intermittently, underscoring the importance of undergoing an examination even if the symptoms appear to have subsided. Typically, diagnosing the condition involves conducting a series of blood and urine tests to measure the levels of the hormone aldosterone in the body. Excessive amounts of aldosterone are a clear indication of hyperaldosteronism. Do not put off getting the care and treatment you need for this disorder. The tests are highly accurate and not invasive.

Treatments for Conn’s Syndrome

Fortunately, it is possible to treat Conn’s syndrome by surgically removing the adrenal tumors or the adrenal gland (adrenalectomy). Patients typically experience improvement fairly quickly after such an operation as the blood pressure and potassium levels return to normal. In some cases, patients may need to moderate their diets by restricting salt intake. It may also be necessary for patients to take specific medications to help maintain health blood pressure and hormone levels in their body.

At Comprehensive Urology, our skilled surgeons are the ones who perform laparoscopic and robotic adrenalectomy in the treatment of Conn’s syndrome. This approach involves making small incisions and offers exceptional visibility during the procedure. The benefits include less blood loss, improved recovery times, and no hospital time.

If you or someone you care about is living with the symptoms of Conn’s syndrome, do not wait to schedule a consultation with the urology specialists at Comprehensive Urology. Highly trained and dedicated physicians in our team work diligently to assist every patient in overcoming their condition and attaining the most favorable outcome.

Cushing Syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is a hormone disorder in which the adrenal glands produce excessive amounts of cortisol, which eventually causes a variety of health issues, such as weight gain, fatigue, reduced fertility, and even personality changes.

Treatments for Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is extremely rare, impacting just 10 to 20 individuals per million yearly. This underscores the need to obtain diagnosis and treatment from a well-trained, experienced team.

Managing Cushing’s syndrome symptoms might involve medications to lower adrenal gland cortisol production.

The adept urologists at Comprehensive Urology collaborate closely with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s expert team for diagnosing and treating this condition.

In some cases, it may be necessary to surgically remove the adrenal tumors or even the entire adrenal glands. If one or both glands are removed, certain medications can assist in supplementing the body’s hormone levels.

Pheochromocytoma

The majority of pheochromocytomas are non-cancerous tumors, comprising about 90% of cases. They form at the center of an adrenal gland. Malignant tumors make up the remaining 10%. The adrenal glands are located at the top of the kidneys and help the regulate the body’s many processes and organ functions.

Pheochromocytoma causes the adrenal gland to release a particular hormone. That causes persistent or occasional bursts of high blood pressure. Which can become harmful if not addressed. Pheochromocytoma affects men and women between the ages of 20 and 50.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Pheochromocytoma?

If you notice that you or someone you care about experiences one or a combination of the following signs and symptoms in short bursts, such as 15 to 20 minutes a day or less, get in touch with Comprehensive Urology. The signs and symptoms include:

  • High blood preasure
  • Paleness
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Excessive sweating
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Tremors
  • Severe headache
  • Weight loss
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation

In certain cases, pheochromocytoma symptoms can be prompted by specific activities. These include exercise, stressful situations, bowel movements, or changes in body position. Additionally, symptoms might arise from consuming certain foods or medications, including tyramine present in aged or fermented foods, and phenelzine, isocarboxazid, or amphetamines.

Treatment Options for Pheochromocytoma

In many cases, the best treatment for patients with pheochromocytoma is surgical removal of the adrenal gland with the tumor. The procedure is minimally invasive, requiring only a small incision for the surgeon to remove the gland with a thin device. Using a small video camera, the surgeon can be sure to target only the adrenal gland, leaving surrounding tissues unharmed.

Before the surgery, the medical team will prescribe specific medications to stabilize blood pressure. This measure aims to minimize the chances of complications. These medications may include Alpha blockers, Beta blockers, or others designed to lower blood pressure.

Benign Adrenal Lesions

Benign adrenal tumors are small, non-cancerous growths. They form in the adrenal glands and don’t metastasize to other body parts. Typically, they don’t induce symptoms and might be discovered incidentally during an abdominal exam or diagnostic test. In such instances, treatment might not be required.

However, in the event that the lesions interfere with adrenal gland function, causing the gland to produce too much or too little of the body’s essential hormones, than medical treatment will be strongly recommended. In some cases, even benign lesions can become cancerous, so it is important to discuss your situation with a urologist.

Types of Benign Adrenal Lesions

Benign adrenal lesions are usually categorized based on where they develop within the adrenal gland. Tumors in the outer layers, known as the cortex, are termed adrenal adenomas. Conversely, tumors in the innermost part, called the medulla, are referred to as pheochromocytomas.

The location of the lesions will also influence which hormones are secreted through the body’s endocrine system.

Adrenal Adenoma – Located in the cortex section, these lesions may affect blood pressure, metabolism, and stress regulation.

Pheochromocytoma – Located in the medulla section, these lesions may interfere with energy, strength, alertness, heart rate, sweat, and blood pressure.

How are Benign Adrenal Lesions Treated?

Depending on the size and location of a benign lesion in an adrenal gland, the condition may not automatically require treatment, however it is crucial to have a urologist regularly monitor the lesion for any changes. If the tumor is affecting the adrenal gland or becoming malignant, medication, chemotherapy, or surgery may be necessary.

Medication – In mild cases, medications can assist in rebalancing the hormone levels that the tumor has affected.

Chemotherapy – Drugs are injected into the blood stream that help reduce and kill lesions.

Surgery – One or both adrenal glands may be removed to prevent further issues and medications will help replace hormones that the body is no longer able to produce on its own. 

Schedule your Consultation

Our team of highly-rated doctors undergoes training to diagnose and treat both benign and cancerous adrenal tumors. For more information about signs and symptoms of adrenal tumors, do not hesitate to contact us for more information by calling us at (310)-278-8330 or book an appointment here. Learn more about adrenal tumors near me today.

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COMPREHENSIVE UROLOGY

+1 (310) 278-8330

  • KIA MICHEL, M.D.
  • ROBERT S. SANFORD, M.D.
  • DINO T. DECONCINI, M.D.
  • JEANNIE SU, M.D.
  • ALEX NOURIAN, M.D.
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