Are adrenal tumors benign?

Generally speaking, adrenal tumors are not necessarily benign. They can be either benign or malignant, and the specific type needs to be determined through pathological examinations and imaging characteristics. If abnormalities are detected, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Most adrenal tumors are benign, such as adrenal adenomas and myelolipomas. These tumors grow slowly, are non-invasive, and typically do not metastasize. Patients with small-sized benign tumors that do not secrete hormones often exhibit no obvious symptoms and only require regular follow-up examinations. Functional adenomas, however, may cause symptoms such as hypertension, hypokalemia, and central obesity. The prognosis after surgical removal is generally favorable, and these tumors usually do not pose a threat to life.

A minority of adrenal tumors are malignant, such as adrenocortical carcinomas and malignant pheochromocytomas. Malignant tumors grow rapidly, easily invade surrounding tissues, and may metastasize to distant sites. In addition to symptoms related to hormonal imbalances, patients may also experience back pain, abdominal masses, weight loss, and other manifestations. These tumors require prompt surgical removal, combined with treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy to control disease progression. However, the prognosis is generally poor for highly malignant cases, necessitating long-term follow-up to monitor for recurrence.

Timely medical attention is necessary upon detection of an adrenal tumor to complete hormone level testing and imaging examinations. A biopsy may be required to determine the tumor's nature when necessary.