How are adrenal tumors formed?

Aug 15, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Guang
Introduction
In general, adrenal tumors may be caused by long-term mental stress, unhealthy lifestyle habits, adrenal cortical hyperplasia, endocrine disorders, familial adrenal diseases, and other factors. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Daily habits should include regular exercise, strengthening physical fitness, and maintaining a normal body weight.

Generally, adrenal tumors may be caused by long-term mental stress, unhealthy lifestyle habits, adrenal cortical hyperplasia, endocrine disorders, or familial adrenal diseases. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Long-term mental stress: Prolonged anxiety or tension can stimulate the secretion of stress hormones in the body. Continuous stimulation of the adrenal glands increases the risk of abnormal cell proliferation, which may lead to adrenal tumors. Stress should be relieved through activities such as exercise, meditation, and social interaction in daily life. Maintaining emotional stability, avoiding long-term mental strain, and maintaining regular rest patterns can help reduce excessive secretion of stress hormones.

2. Unhealthy lifestyle habits: Long-term sleep deprivation, high-fat diet, and excessive alcohol consumption can affect bodily metabolism and disrupt endocrine balance, impairing normal adrenal function and potentially leading to abnormal cell growth and tumor formation. It is important to adjust lifestyle habits, ensuring 7–8 hours of sleep daily and avoiding staying up late.

3. Adrenal cortical hyperplasia: Abnormal hyperplasia of adrenal cortical tissue with uncontrolled cell proliferation may gradually develop into an adrenal tumor, often accompanied by abnormal hormone secretion. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as mitotane tablets, ketoconazole capsules, and aminoglutethimide tablets to inhibit cortical hyperplasia.

4. Endocrine disorders: Hormonal imbalances caused by conditions such as thyroid dysfunction or pituitary tumors may continuously stimulate the adrenal glands, possibly triggering abnormal proliferation of adrenal cells and the formation of tumors. Primary diseases should be treated first—for example, patients with hyperthyroidism should follow medical instructions to use drugs such as methimazole tablets, propylthiouracil tablets, or carbimazole tablets to regulate thyroid hormone levels.

5. Familial adrenal diseases: Conditions such as multiple endocrine neoplasia, influenced by genetic factors, predispose family members to abnormal adrenal cell proliferation and subsequent tumor formation, showing a clear familial clustering. After diagnosis, depending on the tumor's size and function, laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be performed to remove the tumor and prevent disease progression. Family members should also undergo enhanced health screenings.

In daily life, maintaining regular physical activity to strengthen physical fitness and maintain a healthy weight is recommended. Avoid exposure to chemical carcinogens such as benzene and formaldehyde. Regular health check-ups focusing on adrenal-related indicators are important for comprehensive risk management to reduce the likelihood of developing adrenal tumors.

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