Does an adrenal tumor of 3 cm require surgery?

Whether an adrenal tumor of 3 cm requires surgery depends mainly on its nature, functional status, and the patient's overall health. If the tumor is benign and non-functional, it can be observed and followed up in most cases; if it is a functional tumor or suspected to be malignant, surgical treatment is usually required. It is recommended to evaluate the type of tumor and choose the appropriate treatment method according to the advice of a professional doctor.

1). Develop a treatment plan based on the nature of the tumor

Adrenal tumors can be divided into two categories: benign and malignant. Benign tumors such as adenomas and cysts are usually more common, while malignant tumors including adrenal cortical carcinoma are relatively rare. If imaging examinations (such as CT, MRI) show that the tumor has clear boundaries, regular structures, and a diameter of less than 4 cm, and has no malignant characteristics, it may be benign at first. For benign tumors, doctors may recommend regular follow-up observations, with an interval of 3-6 months, to assess the growth rate and changes of the tumor.

If imaging shows blurred boundaries, uneven tissue appearance, or the tumor is larger than 4 cm, further biopsy or direct surgical resection is required in most cases to rule out the possibility of malignancy.

2) Evaluate the functional impact of tumors and take measures

Functional adrenal tumors secrete hormones that can affect your health, such as pheochromocytoma, Cushing's syndrome (a tumor that secretes cortisol), or hyperaldosteronism (a tumor that secretes aldosterone). Even if these tumors are benign, they can cause symptoms such as high blood pressure, palpitations, obesity, diabetes, and long-term damage to the cardiovascular and endocrine systems due to their increased hormone secretion. Functional tumors generally require biochemical blood tests (such as 24-hour urine tests, blood analysis). If the tumor is confirmed to secrete too much hormone, early surgical resection is usually recommended to control hormone secretion and prevent complications.

3) Surgical treatment options

When surgery is recommended for a tumor, common options include the following:

-Laparoscopic surgery: less trauma, quick recovery, usually used for the removal of small benign tumors.

-Open surgery: This approach may be necessary when the tumor is large (usually more than 6 cm) or suspected to be malignant and involves local lymph node dissection.

-Combined thoracic and abdominal surgery: This more complex procedure is chosen for highly invasive malignant tumors that may compress adjacent organs and require a larger area of ​​cleaning.

A comprehensive examination and evaluation is usually required before surgery, such as routine blood tests, cardiopulmonary function tests, and magnetic resonance imaging, to ensure that the patient is ready for surgery, and is completed collaboratively by the departments of surgery, endocrinology, and anesthesia.

4) How to manage if surgery is not done for the time being

If the patient's tumor is non-functional and the imaging assessment shows low risk, surgery is not suitable or should be postponed. Health management can be used to reduce the risk:

-Regular imaging and hormone monitoring: MRI or CT scan every 3 to 6 months to evaluate tumor progression.

-Healthy lifestyle adjustments: maintain good eating habits, quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, exercise moderately, and maintain normal weight and blood pressure.

Whether an adrenal tumor of 3 cm requires surgery varies from person to person, depending on the nature and functional status of the tumor. It is recommended to make a clear diagnosis through complete imaging and biochemical examinations as soon as possible, and select a treatment plan suitable for you after evaluation by a professional doctor. Health management is a long-term process. Regardless of whether surgery is performed or not, you must follow the doctor's advice and have regular checkups to ensure that your body is stable and healthy.