Tumor of the adrenal glands. Symptoms, causes, types

The adrenal glands are glands of internal secretion, which play an important role in adapting the human body to unfavorable conditions. They also regulate metabolism. The main function of this body is the production of hormones. There are paired glands above the kidneys. They are surrounded by a fairly dense connective tissue and immersed in fat. The human body is subject to constant influence of various factors, which do not always have a beneficial effect on health. To date, a fairly common pathology is a tumor of the adrenal gland. Symptoms of the disease, caused by the increase or decrease in the level of hormones in comparison with the norm, depend on the variety of the tumor. In this article, we will consider the most common pathologies of this organ.

Adenoma

This is the name of the hormonal-active benign tumor of the adrenal glands. However, under certain conditions, it is capable of malignant degeneration. As a rule, at the initial stages of the disease almost does not manifest itself. Therefore, very often during a survey of the abdominal cavity a tumor of the adrenal gland is found. Symptoms of the disease are as follows: a change in the hormonal background, osteoporosis, sudden weight gain, pressure jumps. Also for this disease is characterized by the manifestation in men of feminization, and in women - masculinization (low voice, infertility, hirsutism).

Hyperaldosteronism

With this pathology, a large amount of the hormone aldosterone is produced. Symptoms of hyperaldosteronism are as follows: dizziness, headache, "flies" before the eyes, convulsions, muscle weakness, bradycardia, polyuria, nocturia. In the absence of treatment, complications such as diabetes mellitus, impaired sexual function, kidney pathology may develop.

Pheochromocytoma

The disease is characterized by excessive production of hormones catecholamines (dopamine and adrenaline). Symptoms of the disease are as follows: periodic pressure rises, accompanied by an unaccountable fear, a feeling of chilliness, pallor of the skin. Similar attacks in the initial period of the disease occur rarely - every few months. However, over time, the severity, frequency and duration of crises increase. And as in adults, and in children, this tumor of the adrenal gland can occur. Symptoms of the disease can also be accompanied by convulsions, excessive flow and salivation.

Corticoestroma

Pathology of the adrenal cortex. It is characterized by an excessive amount of estrogens. Most often it is in men diagnosed with a tumor of the adrenal glands. Symptoms of the ailment are as follows: haemorrhage on a female type, increase in the tone of the voice, testicular hypotrophy, decreased potency, pigmentation of the aureole of the nipples. Do queens corticoestroma does not show itself, maybe only a slight increase in estrogen in the blood. In boys, the first sign of pathology is premature maturation of bones and gynecomastia.

Androsteroma

Symptoms of the disease are caused by excessive secretion of the tumor by androgen hormones. Most often, the disease occurs in girls. The signs of this pathology are the following: premature physical and sexual development, hair growth on the face. Due to the increased development of muscles, the weight of the child can significantly exceed normal values. Quite often on the face are formed ugrepodobnye rashes. In women, as a rule, there are failures of the menstrual cycle, atrophy of the mammary glands, coarsening of the voice.

Tumor of the adrenal glands. Causes

Pathologies of endocrine glands often arise as a result of trauma, stress, and in the presence of chronic endocrine diseases and arterial hypertension. The probability of tumor formation in people with congenital adrenal diseases is great.