Benign Adrenal Tumors

Benign adrenal tumors often are found by chance on imaging that’s done for another reason. A healthcare professional then looks at how likely the tumor is to be cancer and whether it’s making too much hormone.

Tests

Along with a physical exam, a healthcare professional runs blood and urine tests to see if the tumor is making too much hormone. The tests also show which hormone the tumor is making.

Imaging tests can give more details about the tumor. They can show whether the tumor is at high risk of being a cancer, which is rare.

Imaging tests might include:

CT scan. This type of scan takes a series of X-ray images from different angles and makes them into cross-sectional images.
MRI. This type of scan uses radio waves and a magnetic field to make detailed images.
M-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging. This type of scan uses a radioactive compound that’s injected into the body. Some adrenal gland tumors take up the compound. The image can show tiny amounts of the compound that are picked up by a tumor.
Positron emission tomography (PET). This type of scan also can detect radioactive compounds taken up by a tumor.
Ga-DOTATATE PET scanning. This newer imaging test isn’t widely offered. Ga-DOTATATE PET scanning is done along with either a CT scan or an MRI. This type of test is good at finding tumors of the endocrine system, such as benign adrenal tumors.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

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