- Written By: A. Ribken
- Edited By: Lauren Fritsky
- Last Modified Date: 13 April 2012
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Copyright Protected:
2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
An adrenal cyst is a growth that appears on the adrenal gland. It is very rare, affecting only one or two people in 10,000. Most adrenal cysts are found incidentally, or by accident, when a patient is examined for other problems. The majority of people who are diagnosed with adrenal gland cysts are female, and although an adrenal cyst can occur at any age, most of them are found in patients between 30 and 60 years of age.
There are two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney. The adrenal gland secretes hormones that help regulate blood pressure, heart rate, and sweating. Other hormones secreted by the adrenal glands include corticosteroids, which play a part in regulating the levels of salt in the body, and testosterone. They are regulated by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus.
There are four types of adrenal cysts. The majority of adrenal cysts are known as endothelial cysts, which are benign and usually cause no symptoms and are similar to the less common epithelial cysts. Approximately 40% of the adrenal cysts found are considered pseudocysts, and these can become malignant. The fourth type of adrenal cyst is a parasitic cyst. This rare cyst is caused by the larvae from the species Echinococcus granulosus.
A benign adrenal cyst usually causes no symptoms, although if it becomes large in size, it can cause pain in the abdomen or back. Most adrenal cysts are found when other tests, such as x-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans, are performed—they would otherwise go undetected. A symptomatic adrenal cyst may affect hormone levels, blood pressure, and heart rate.
Treatment for an adrenal cyst usually consists of watchful waiting, with regular examinations such as CT scans and blood tests being conducted to observe the growth pattern and hormonal changes. The other option is surgical removal, which can be done laparoscopically, or through small incisions using an long, thin instrument equipped with a tiny camera. Normally, surgery is not required unless the cyst affects the hormonal balance of the body or causes pain due to its size.
Most people with an adrenal gland cyst are unaware that they have one unless it is seen while testing for other medical problems. Since the majority of cysts do not cause any physical symptoms, a conservative approach to treatment is followed. The cause of adrenal gland cysts is not yet known, although it is believed heredity plays a part.
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anon260990
Post 9 |
What type of surgeon or doctor performs the cyst removal surgery? |
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anon257216
Post 8 |
I just underwent a left laparoscopic adrenalectomy for a 7.5 cm (large) mass that was diagnosed as a cyst on biopsy. I'm two weeks post op without any issues. Laparoscopic is the way to go. One night in the hospital and done. |
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anon246178
Post 7 |
I was diagnosed at 15 and no one ever did anything! I have high levels of the male hormone DHEA! I am a woman and suffer from major hormone changes, such as facial and body hair, and mood swings. I am starting to have pain in my upper abdomen and there isn't a damn thing I can do because I have no health insurance! I suffer from high blood pressure and polycystic ovarian disease and am very overweight. I was told just the other day that it's still there and they blew it off like it was no big problem! I am in agony and it stinks being poor! |
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anon189229
Post 6 |
I am 45 years old and was just diagnosed with an adrenal cyst. I have been treated for high blood pressure for about six years. I am currently on seven high blood pressure medications and continue to have high blood pressure. I have had three "episodes" which were called heart attacks. Sky high blood pressure, tingling sensation starting in my armpit and slowly moving down my arm. After overnight observations the first and second time, the EKGs and blood work say I had a heart attack. Both times I had a heart catheterization done and both times they were normal, no blockages – normal. The third time I started feeling like I was going down that road again, I called my doctor and saw him in the office. They did five or six EKGs and they were not normal. He decided to send me straight to the cardiologist, instead of the ER. My cardiologist finally started to get to the bottom of what is going on. He tried some different medications, but no change. He did some blood work and didn't find anything. He ordered a stress test and it was normal. He also ordered a CT of my heart to check for calcium/plaque. Out of 100 percent, I had 2.61 percent calcium. He started me on a new med and did blood work before I started the med and after and in the meantime I had a CT with dye for my kidneys, liver and abdomen. Finally, they found a cyst on my right adrenal gland. While I am somewhat relieved to have an answer to the craziness I have been going through, it does concern me as well. Feeling optimistic about it, though. |
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SuzyQ86
Post 5 |
In July of last year I found out after going to the doctor for a pain in my side that I had a cyst as large as a grapefruit. At first, doctors were baffled. They could not figure out how a healthy, non-smoking, 23 year old woman could have a cyst that large. First it was believed to be part of my liver since that was all they could see from CT scan and x-ray scans. After being observed for a week in the hospital, I had surgery. The surgery was eight hours long. During surgery doctors discovered the cyst was not a part of my liver but of the adrenal gland. It had also grown to destroy my spleen, pancreas tail and adrenal gland. The first days after surgery were easy with all of the medication I was under. Once they took me off of the after surgery meds the pain started. Most of the pain was from the inability to have a bowel movement due to the anesthesia. I had 38 staples inserted across my stomach. The next weeks were hard for me because of the extreme nausea and pain I experienced. I was sent home with a prescription of percs but it just made my nausea 10 times worse, especially at night. After switching to a lower dosage of pain medication and another to minimize my stomach acids, my nausea eased. My incision was so hard to get used to. I did not have the energy to lift my back up to walk straight. My center core was damaged and it took almost two months to be able to walk straight again. The incision also started to leak out a dark red blood, but I was told it was normal and just excess blood from the surgery. My staples remained for a month, constantly leaking the dark blood. When it was done healing, all that was left is a "railroad" scar across my stomach. The experience was scary but it changed my life. Everything happens for a reason and this certainly was an eye opener. Before, I thought I was an invincible typical young adult, but found that is not the case. It has been almost a year now and I feel fantastic. I still get paranoid when I get any pain, especially along my incision, but that is the only way to stay aware. Hope my story helps to those who are going through the same thing. Good luck! |
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Greeneyes777
Post 4 |
My 82 year old mother has an adrenal cyst on one of her adrenal glands. She was monitored for five years and the cyst did not grow, so the doctors decided to leave it. She would like to get it removed though since she has hot flashes 24/7, non-stop, and we believe it is because of the cyst. Does anyone know where I could find info on the type of surgery, risks, doctors in Alberta, Canada, etc on this type of 'problem'? Would greatly appreciate any help. Thank you. |
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Planch
Post 3 |
OK, so my daughter recently found out that she's got an adrenal cyst, and the both of us are getting really scared about it.
This is such a rare condition, it seems crazy that she could get it -- she's always been so healthy, no problems, not even cavities. But she was just diagnosed last week, after months of confusion, so now we're kind of glad to know what it is, but still scared, since it is such a rare condition.
Do you know if there are any adrenal support groups or something like that? We're both desperate for information and to talk to someone else who's been through this. Do you have any information? |
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rallenwriter
Post 2 |
I knew a woman from my office who was having surgery for a liver cyst, since she had been showing all the liver cyst symptoms -- you know, abdominal pain, distention, all that -- but when they actually got in there, it turned out that she didn't have a cyst on her liver.
Instead she had an adrenal cyst. Unfortunately, they weren't prepared to remove it that day (I guess that adrenal surgery is different than liver surgery?), so she had to go back a few months later to undergo another surgery to remove the adrenal cyst.
Luckily, they were able to remove it completely and she's had no problems since, but I can only imagine how disappointing it must be to wake up from surgery and realize that the whole thing was a bust. I guess it's better than some of the other surgical complications you could get, but still!
I'm just glad that I've never had to deal with anything like that... |
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lightning88
Post 1 |
Wow -- that sounds really scary. I have to say, I'm really glad that I'm not showing any adrenal symptoms, because I would be totally freaked out that I had an adrenal cyst, or even an adrenal tumor.
Really nicely written article though -- it laid an extremely scary topic out in easy to understand terms. If I did have an adrenal cyst, I would find this article very helpful.
Good work. |
