hwafriend.blogg.se - Adrenal gland estrogen

Surgery is also required if an adrenal tumor is large or if it is causing the gland to produce an excessive amount of a hormone. Standard treatment of adrenal tumors is surgical removal, necessary if they are suspected of, or confirmed as, being malignant. Frequently, adrenal tumors are discovered accidentally during imaging tests for another reason. Definitive diagnosis necessitates a full medical examination, a urinalysis, blood tests and diagnostic imaging tests, such as an MRI or CT scan, to determine whether an adrenal tumor is the underlying cause of the symptoms. The symptoms related to adrenal tumors are also symptoms of other conditions, often complicating the diagnosis. In the small percentage of cases when adrenal tumors are malignant, however, symptoms may not become apparent until the cancer has progressed to advanced stages. In such cases, patients may experience a feeling of fullness and an unexplained weight loss. While most adrenal tumors are not malignant, they may grow large enough to put pressure on adjacent organs like the stomach.

Inappropriate feminization or masculinization.

Premature sexual development in children.

Excess growth of facial, pubic or underarm hair.

Persistent pain, pressure or fullness in the abdomen.

The symptoms produced by adrenal tumors are extremely varied. Most adrenal tumors, even those that cause symptoms, are benign. Tumors of the adrenal gland may be caused by diseases of the endocrine system, such as Conn's syndrome, or may result in the development of endocrine diseases, such as Cushing's syndrome. Tumors can cause the adrenal glands to produce too much of one or more of these substances, resulting in serious health issues. These small, triangular organs produce several hormones, including aldosterone, cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisone, adrenalin and norepinephrine.

The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys at the back of the upper abdominal cavity.