Doctronic navigation menu Log In
Doctronic navigation menu
Contents
  • Surgical Intervention
  • Managing Hormonal Secretion
  • When to Choose Monitoring

Treating Adrenal Incidentalomas: What Are Your Options?

Treating Adrenal Incidentalomas: What Are Your Options?

The Treatment Path

When faced with an adrenal incidentaloma, understanding your treatment options is crucial for effective management.
Contents
  • Surgical Intervention
  • Managing Hormonal Secretion
  • When to Choose Monitoring

Surgical Intervention

Surgery is often recommended for adrenal masses larger than 4 cm or when there's suspicion of cancer. Laparoscopic surgery is less invasive and allows for quicker recovery. Open surgery might be necessary for larger or suspicious masses.

Managing Hormonal Secretion

If the mass secretes hormones, treatment focuses on managing these effects. For example, medications may be used to control hormone levels, or surgery may be required to remove the hormone-secreting mass.
Adrenal incidentalomas are unexpected masses found on the adrenal glands, often requiring treatment based on their size, function, and potential for hormone secretion.

When to Choose Monitoring

For masses that appear benign and are small, regular monitoring might be sufficient. This approach involves periodic imaging to ensure the mass doesn't grow or change in a way that would require intervention.

FAQs

When is surgery needed?

For masses over 4 cm or suspected cancer.

How are hormones managed?

Medications or surgery can manage hormone secretion.

Can monitoring be enough?

Yes, for small, benign-appearing masses.

Key Takeaways

Choosing the right treatment depends on the mass's size, function, and growth.
Discuss your treatment options with Doctronic to find the best path forward!
Additional References
  1. Yip L, Duh QY, Wachtel H, et al. American Association of Endocrine Surgeons Guidelines for Adrenalectomy: Executive Summary. JAMA Surg 2022; 157:870.
  2. Fassnacht M, Arlt W, Bancos I, et al. Management of adrenal incidentalomas: European Society of Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline in collaboration with the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors. Eur J Endocrinol 2016; 175:G1.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.