A normal adrenal gland is only about one-half centimeter in width, so it is usually necessary for a board-certified radiologist to find an adrenal tumor with ultrasound. DiagnosisĪdrenal tumors are generally found on an ultrasound examination.
The tumors are rarely found when the patient becomes acutely ill due to tumor rupture. Some patients have no clinical signs associated with the tumor, and it is found incidentally during an examination for another reason. If the tumor is over-secreting catecholamines, the patient may have intermittent episodes of excitement or nervousness, often coupled with a high heart rate or blood pressure. If the tumor is over-secreting cortisol, the patient might be excessively thirsty and hungry, be weak with some hair loss, pant or be restless, especially at night, or have urinary accidents. Patients with adrenal gland tumor sometimes come in showing signs of excess hormone production. Adrenal tumors that over-secrete cortisol are either adrenocortical adenoma (benign) or adenocarcinoma (malignant). Because the adrenal gland is located adjacent to vital blood vessels and the kidney, tumor growth can be dangerous if it invades into the local structures.Īdrenal tumors that over-secrete catecholamine are called pheochromocytoma. Because the adrenal gland produces important and potent hormones, benign tumors of the adrenal gland can still make a patient quite ill. CauseĪdrenal tumors can be benign or malignant (cancerous) growths. It is also possible for adrenal tumors to be non-functional, meaning that no hormones are being produced in excess. It is possible for tumors to grow on the adrenal gland that can produce excessive amounts of cortisol, adrenaline, adrenaline-like hormones or all types of hormones. Catecholamines are hormones that are involved in the “fight or flight” response in the body. Cortisol is a hormone that is produced by the body during periods of stress. The adrenal gland produces several different hormones including cortisol and catecholamines (sometimes referred to as adrenaline). Adrenal masses or tumors are not common but can be challenging to treat in veterinary patients.
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