What are the early symptoms of adrenal tumors?

Adrenal tumors may not have obvious symptoms in the early stages, but some patients may experience weight changes, abnormal blood pressure, fatigue and other problems. If relevant symptoms occur, you should seek medical attention in time. Early identification of symptoms and causes is crucial for effective treatment.

1. Abnormal blood pressure

Adrenal tumors may affect hormone secretion, such as increased levels of cortisol, aldosterone, or adrenaline, leading to elevated or fluctuating blood pressure. This type of hypertension is often accompanied by symptoms such as headaches, palpitations, and facial flushing. In the case of difficult-to-control hypertension, especially in young patients, adrenal tumors should be highly suspected, and blood and urine hormone tests and imaging tests such as CT scans are recommended.

2Unexplained weight changes

Adrenal tumors may cause metabolic disorders, manifested as unexplained weight gain or loss. For example, if the tumor secretes excessive cortisol, it can cause central obesity with fat trunk and thin limbs, which is a typical manifestation of Cushing's syndrome. Abnormal aldosterone secretion may disrupt the balance of sodium and potassium and cause edema. For this type of weight abnormality, adrenal function should be evaluated in combination with hormone function tests.

3. Fatigue and weakness

Patients may experience persistent fatigue or muscle weakness due to electrolyte imbalances, circulatory problems, or excessive hormone release from tumors. High aldosterone may cause hypokalemia, muscle cramps, and even periodic paralysis. This symptom cannot be improved by rest alone, and you need to see a doctor as soon as possible to check your blood potassium level and related tests.

4Other potential symptoms

Some patients may also experience facial hair growth, abnormal sweating, loss of libido, or menstrual disorders. These symptoms are also related to the type of hormones secreted by the tumor. In particular, malignant tumors may cause symptoms of rapid progression, such as obvious pain or palpable lumps, so you need to be more vigilant.

Identification of early symptoms of adrenal tumors is very important for treatment. Once the above abnormalities occur, you should consult the endocrinology or urology department as soon as possible to clarify the situation through examination. If it is confirmed to be an adrenal tumor, according to the nature of the tumor, you can choose surgical resection such as laparoscopic surgery, drugs to inhibit excessive hormone secretion such as ketoconazole or radiotherapy. Healthy living habits can also reduce the risk of hormone disorders, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise and weight control. Testing hormone levels and blood pressure changes is the key to discovering problems.