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Adrenal Tumors and Adrenal Hormones
Background: The adrenal glands are very important in controlling the body’s response to stress and in maintaining blood pressure. They are located in the back of the abdomen, right above the kidneys.
- Adrenal lumps (nodules) can be found in 1 out 10 adults with technically sophisticated CT and MRI scans (special X-rays).
- Most adrenal nodules are completely benign and need no therapy.
- Adrenal cancers are rare, but deadly.
- Adrenal cancers tend to be larger than 1.5 inches or 3 cm in size when they are discovered.
- Non-cancerous adrenal nodules may cause trouble by over-producing hormones.
- Endocrinologists are the ideal medical specialists for evaluation of adrenal nodules and adrenal hormone levels.
- Evaluation of adrenal nodules requires close coordination of many specialty services including a hormone laboratory, radiology specialists and an experienced endocrine surgeon.
- Dr. Harrell, of Ft. Lauderdale Endocrine Surgery, has 21 years of experience in coordinating adrenal evaluation and treatment in Florida.
- If your adrenal nodule is suspicious for cancer or hormone over-production then surgery for removal of the adrenal gland may be recommended.
- Historically, adrenal surgery required a large painful abdominal or back incision and a hospital stay of 7-10 days.
- Patients took 2-4 weeks to recover and return to work.
- Minimally invasive adrenal surgery is performed through 3 or 4 tiny incisions (each less than 1 inch in length).
- Patients usually spend 48 hours or less in the hospital and are back to work in 7-10 days.
- Dr. David Bimston of Ft. Lauderdale Endocrine Surgery has a long track record of performing successful minimally-invasive adrenal surgery.
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