Adrenal incidentalomas are adrenal tumours detected during the investigation for other pathologies. These pose new responsibilities and potential concerns to practitioners. Around 30 to 50% of adrenal incidentalomas overproduce hormones depending on diagnostic tests used; some particularly common examples to endocrinologists include primary aldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome); mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS); and pheochromocytoma. Adrenal incidentaloma prevalence increases with patient age; most incidences are reported in patients between 50 to 70 years of age and are rarely seen in those less than 30 years.
By fortuitously coming across an asymptomatic adrenal mass, practitioners are presented with the opportunity to evaluate for and treat malignancy or hormone over-production sooner than may have otherwise been possible. Upon further exploration, symptoms or features of adrenal disease and related complications may become apparent. Imaging characteristics cannot definitely differentiate between functional and non-functional tumours. For this reason, all patients with adrenal incidentalomas are systematically evaluated for functional activity via biochemical testing.
This research topic seeks to explore what are reasonable systematic evaluation practices for adrenal incidentalomas and what therapeutic strategies are used. The collection welcomes (mini)review, original research, or perspective articles.
Adrenal incidentalomas are adrenal tumours detected during the investigation for other pathologies. These pose new responsibilities and potential concerns to practitioners. Around 30 to 50% of adrenal incidentalomas overproduce hormones depending on diagnostic tests used; some particularly common examples to endocrinologists include primary aldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome); mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS); and pheochromocytoma. Adrenal incidentaloma prevalence increases with patient age; most incidences are reported in patients between 50 to 70 years of age and are rarely seen in those less than 30 years.
By fortuitously coming across an asymptomatic adrenal mass, practitioners are presented with the opportunity to evaluate for and treat malignancy or hormone over-production sooner than may have otherwise been possible. Upon further exploration, symptoms or features of adrenal disease and related complications may become apparent. Imaging characteristics cannot definitely differentiate between functional and non-functional tumours. For this reason, all patients with adrenal incidentalomas are systematically evaluated for functional activity via biochemical testing.
This research topic seeks to explore what are reasonable systematic evaluation practices for adrenal incidentalomas and what therapeutic strategies are used. The collection welcomes (mini)review, original research, or perspective articles.
