Adrenal Tumor: Causes, Symptoms, and What You Need to Know

When you hear adrenal tumor, a growth on one or both adrenal glands that sit above your kidneys. Also known as suprarenal tumor, it can be benign or cancerous, and may or may not affect hormone production. These glands don’t just sit there—they make critical hormones like cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline that control stress response, blood pressure, and metabolism. A tumor here doesn’t always mean cancer, but it can still mess with your body in serious ways.

Not all adrenal tumors cause symptoms. Some are found by accident during a scan for something else. But when they do act up, it’s usually because they’re pumping out too much of one hormone. A tumor making extra cortisol, a stress hormone that regulates blood sugar and immune function can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and mood swings—signs of Cushing’s syndrome. Another type, producing too much aldosterone, a hormone that controls salt and water balance, causes high blood pressure and low potassium. Then there’s pheochromocytoma, a rare tumor that overproduces adrenaline, which can trigger scary spikes in blood pressure, sweating, and heart palpitations. These aren’t just random symptoms—they’re your body screaming that something’s off inside.

What causes these tumors? In most cases, no one knows. They’re not usually linked to lifestyle or diet. But some genetic syndromes like MEN2 or VHL increase your risk. If you’ve had other tumors or a family history, testing becomes more important. The good news? Many adrenal tumors are slow-growing and can be managed without surgery. Blood tests, urine tests, and CT or MRI scans help doctors figure out if the tumor is active and how dangerous it is.

You won’t find every detail in a single article, but the posts below cover what matters: how these tumors are diagnosed, what treatments actually work, how hormone imbalances show up in daily life, and what to ask your doctor before jumping into surgery or medication. Whether you’re dealing with unexplained weight gain, stubborn high blood pressure, or just got an unexpected scan result, you’ll find real answers here—not guesses.