Pediatric adrenal mass

What is a pediatric adrenal mass?

The adrenal glands are located above the kidneys. Their job is to produce and secrete several hormones (cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine, norepinephrine, estrogen). Adrenal masses can cause an increase in the level of hormones that are released.

The exact cause of adrenal masses is unknown. As with all types of tumors, they manifest as a growth of abnormal cells that multiply rapidly.

Risk factors

Certain inherited genetic conditions may put children at risk for adrenal masses:

• Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome

• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)

• Li-Fraumeni syndrome

• Multiple endocrine neoplasia (Type 1 MEN)

What are the signs and symptoms of a pediatric adrenal mass?

Many children with adrenal masses will not experience any symptoms; in fact, many adrenal masses are discovered during diagnostic testing for other clinical conditions that are unrelated to adrenal disease. For those who do experience symptoms, those symptoms are often related to an excess production of hormones.

Symptoms will vary from child to child, but may include:

• Anxiety

• Excess body hair

• Excessive sweating

• Fatigue or weakness

• Frequent urination

• High blood pressure

• Rapid heart rate

• Unusual acne

• Weight gain or weight loss

How is a pediatric adrenal mass diagnosed?

There are several methods that are used for diagnosing adrenal masses.

Your child’s doctor may use a combination of these methods:

• History and physical exam

• Blood tests

• Urine tests

• X-rays

• CT scan

• MRI

• Fine needle biopsy (removal of a small amount of tissue using a thin needle; the tissue is later examined under a microscope)

How is a pediatric adrenal mass treated?

• Surgery 

• Hormone therapy

• Radiation therapy 

• Chemotherapy