Adrenal Tumor: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Introduction

An adrenal tumor is any abnormal growth that develops in one of the two adrenal glands. These tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or cancerous. Additionally, some may produce excess hormones, while others may not¹.  

In this blog, we will discuss the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and management options for adrenal tumors. 

What Is an Adrenal Gland Tumor?

Adrenal glands are small glands located above both your kidneys. They produce hormones that regulate several important functions, including blood pressure, metabolism, and the body’s salt and water balance,  and also help the body respond to stress². 

An adrenal tumor develops when cells in an adrenal gland grow abnormally. Most adrenal gland tumors detected incidentally on an abdominal scan are benign, but a small number might be cancerous or hormone producing tumor³. 

Types of Adrenal Gland Tumors

Adrenal gland tumors can develop from different types of cells and include^3,4,5: 

• Pheochromocytoma: A rare tumor that develops from the adrenal medulla, producing excessive catecholamines which often lead to high swings in blood pressure or difficult to control blood pressure and related complications. A subset of these show metastatic potential.  
• Adrenocortical carcinoma: A rare type of cancer that develops in the outer layer (cortex) of the adrenal gland. 
• Neuroblastoma: A rare type of cancer that mainly affects children and develops from immature nerve cells, sometimes in or near the adrenal glands. 
• Cushing’s syndrome: Adrenal gland tumor producing excessive corticosteroids lead to certain metabolic changes leading to diabetes, blood pressure, electrolyte changes, increased risk of infections , etc.  
• Conn’s syndrome: Adrenal gland tumor producing excessive amount of mineralocrticoids often lead to hypertension and low potassium level. These may have genetic disease links and can manifest across several members amongst the family.  
• There are also non functioning , being tumors and cysts arising from adrenal gland .  

Adrenal Tumor vs Adrenal Cancer

The terms adrenal tumor and adrenal cancer are related, but it is important to understand that they do not mean the same thing. The table below will help you understand the difference better. 

Note: All adrenal cancers are adrenal tumors, but not all adrenal tumors are adrenal cancers. It is very important to keep in mind that the term adrenal tumor simply means an abnormal growth of the adrenal gland and does not automatically indicate adrenal gland cancer. 

Adrenal Tumor Symptoms

Most adrenal tumors do not cause symptoms, especially when they are small and do not produce an excess of any hormones. Adrenal tumor symptoms may include^5,7: 

• Pain in the abdomen or back 
• Fatigue/weakness 
• Unexplained weight loss 
• A feeling of fullness or a mass in the abdomen 

Some tumors may produce excess hormones, which can cause additional adrenal tumor symptoms: 

• Too much cortisol: Weight gain, muscle weakness, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure,easy bruising, proximal muscle weakness, osteoporosis/fractures. 
• Too much aldosterone: High blood pressure,  when hypokalemia is present, patiets may experience muscle weakness/cramps, increased thirst, and frequent urination. 
• Too much Androgens: Increased facial/body hair, acne, voice deepening, or absence of periods in women. 
• Too much oestrogen: Irregular menstrual periods or vaginal bleeding in women or breast enlargement and reduced sex drive in men⁸. 
• Too much Catecholamines: High or fluctuating blood pressure, episodic symptoms like rapid heartbeat, headaches, excessive sweating, anxiety, and tremors⁹. 

What Causes Adrenal Gland Tumors?

Adrenal gland tumor causes are not always known. These tumors develop when cells in the adrenal gland grow and divide abnormally. In some cases, genetic changes or inherited conditions may increase the risk of developing certain adrenal tumors¹. 

Some inherited conditions associated with some adrenal tumors include^4,5,10: 

• Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) 
• Von Hippel-Lindau disease 
• Neurofibromatosis type-1 
• Hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma syndromes 
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome 
• Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome 
• Noonan syndrome 
• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)  
• Lynch syndrome  

However, having one of these conditions does not mean that a person will definitely develop an adrenal tumor. You should keep in mind that most adrenal tumors develop without a clearly identifiable adrenal gland tumor cause. 

Who Is at Risk of Adrenal Tumors?

Adrenal tumors can develop in anyone, and most people who develop them do not have a known risk factor. However, certain factors may increase the risk of developing some types of adrenal tumors: 

• Inherited genetic conditions: Certain conditions (such as the ones discussed above) can increase the risk of certain adrenal tumors⁴:
• Family history: Having a close family member with an adrenal tumor or certain inherited conditions may increase the risk¹. 
• Age: The risk varies depending on the type of adrenal tumor. Some tumors are more common in adults, while others, such as neuroblastoma, mainly occur in children^4,5.
• Many tumors occur in people without any known risk factors. So, it is important to understand that having one or more of these risk factors does not mean that a person will develop an adrenal tumor. 

For most adrenal masses, no specific modifiable risk factor is known. Risk depends largely on the tumour type, age and, in some cases, inherited genetic conditions. 

How Are Adrenal Tumors Diagnosed?

Adrenal tumors are often found incidentally during imaging tests done for another health problem¹¹. When an adrenal tumor is suspected, doctors may use the following tests for an adrenal tumor diagnosis: 

• Medical history and physical examination: The doctor asks about symptoms, medical history, family history, and signs of excess hormone production⁴.
• Blood and urine tests: These tests check hormone levels and help determine whether the tumor is producing excess hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, or metanephrines. Oftne, an individual has to undergo multiple different tests, multiple samples and at times tests after certain medications in an order to establish hormonal excess¹². 
• Imaging tests: Computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or other imaging tests can help identify the tumor and determine its size and location. They also check whether it has spread to nearby tissues or other parts of the body¹. 
• Biopsy: In selected cases after thorough review by an Endocrinologist, a biopsy procedure under imaging guidance is performed. Biopsy provides a small sample of the tumor, which may be examined under a microscope to determine whether it is cancerous¹. 

Based on the results of these tests, the doctor can determine whether the tumor is benign or cancerous and whether it is producing excess hormones. This helps them to make a proper adrenal tumor diagnosis and help guide the treatment plan. 

Adrenal Gland Tumor Treatment

The management of an adrenal gland tumor depends on its type, size, whether it produces hormones, and whether it causes symptoms. Some tumors may only need monitoring, while others may require treatment. Adrenal gland tumor treatment/management options include: 

1.Regular monitoring

Small, benign tumors and not causing any hormone excess may not require immediate treatment¹³. Your doctor may recommend regular imaging tests and hormone tests to monitor the tumor and subsequently decide if any active treatment is to be initiated. 

2. Medicines

Medicines may be used to control excess hormone production and manage symptoms, particularly in hormone-producing tumors such as pheochromocytoma. Often the medications are used for patient preparation, optimisation of health status , before subjecting to any surgical procedure⁴.

3. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy

If the adrenal tumor is found to be cancerous, after considering several aspects, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or other cancer treatments may be recommended. Your doctor will decide this based on the type and stage of the cancer^1,5.

4. Surgery

Surgery to remove the tumor or the affected adrenal gland (adrenalectomy) may be recommended if the tumor is large, produces excess hormones, causes symptoms, or has features that raise concern for cancer¹⁴. 

Also Read: Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs): Symptoms, Causes, Stages, Diagnosis and Treatment 

Can Adrenal Tumors Be Prevented?

There is no established way to prevent most adrenal tumours. Most arise without an identifiable cause. People with certain inherited conditions may benefit from genetic counselling and condition-specific surveillance.

When Does an Adrenal Tumor Need Medical Attention?

You should see a doctor if you: 

• Have symptoms such as persistent abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, unusual tiredness, or a feeling of a lump or fullness in the abdomen^1,5.
• Have symptoms of excess hormones, such as high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, headaches, or menstrual problems⁸. 
• Have a family history or inherited condition that increases your risk of adrenal tumors and need advice about regular check-ups or monitoring^4,5.
• Notice new or worsening symptoms that do not go away. 
• Discovery of any adrenal tumor mandates a thorough evaluation by specialist. 

Conclusion

Most adrenal tumors are not cancerous and may not need treatment if they are small and do not produce hormones. However, some tumors can cause hormone-related symptoms or require treatment based on their size and type. In such cases, early diagnosis and timely medical care can help ensure the right treatment and improve outcomes.  

If you have persistent symptoms or have been diagnosed with an adrenal tumor, follow your doctor’s advice for evaluation and regular follow-up. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Menon G, Prasath S, Correa R. Adrenocortical Carcinoma. StatPearls. Accessed September 1, 2026. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546580/ 

2. Dutt M, Wehrle CJ, Jialal I. Physiology, Adrenal Gland. StatPearls. Accessed September 1, 2026. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537260/ 

3. Adrenal Gland Cancer. MedlinePlus. Accessed September 1, 2026. https://medlineplus.gov/adrenalglandcancer.html 

4. Gupta PK, Marwaha B. Pheochromocytoma. StatPearls. Accessed September 1, 2026. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589700/ 

5. Guild A, Allison J, Karsonovich T, Mahapatra S, Challagundla KB. Neuroblastoma. StatPearls. Accessed September 1, 2026. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448111/ 

6. Benign and malignant tumours. Cancer Research UK. Accessed September 1, 2026. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/how-cancer-start-grow-spread/how-cancers-grow 

7. Kerkhofs TM, Roumen RM, Demeyere TB, van der Linden AN, Haak HR. Adrenal Tumors with Unexpected Outcome: A Review of the Literature. Int J Endocrinol. 2015;2015:710514. doi:10.1155/2015/710514 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25883649/

8. Symptoms of Adrenocortical Carcinoma. NCI. February 19, 2026. Accessed September 1, 2026. https://www.cancer.gov/types/adrenocortical/symptoms 

9. What are the symptoms of adrenal gland disorders? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. January 31, 2017. Accessed September 1, 2026. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/adrenalgland/conditioninfo/symptoms 

10. Adrenal Cancer Risk Factors. American Cancer Society. Accessed September 1, 2026. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/adrenal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html 

11. Papierska L, Cichocki A, Sankowski AJ, Cwikła JB. Adrenal incidentaloma imaging – the first steps in therapeutic management. Pol J Radiol. 2013;78(4):47-55. doi:10.12659/PJR.889541  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24505223/

12. Kerkhofs TM, Roumen RM, Demeyere TB, van der Linden AN, Haak HR. Adrenal Tumors with Unexpected Outcome: A Review of the Literature. Int J Endocrinol. 2015;2015:710514. doi:10.1155/2015/710514 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25883649/

13. Benign Tumors. MedlinePlus. Accessed September 1, 2026. https://medlineplus.gov/benigntumors.html 

14. Dogrul AB, Cennet O, Dincer AH. Minimally invasive techniques in benign and malignant adrenal tumors. World J Clin Cases. 2022;10(35):12812-12821. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v10.i35.12812  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9782958/

15. Li AY, Dream S. Adrenalectomy. StatPearls. Accessed September 1, 2026. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559093/ 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.