Pallor, nausea and panic attacks are other less common symptoms. The classical symptom triad consists of episodic palpitations, headaches and sweating. The majority of phaeochromocytomas are sporadic but up to 30% can be hereditary and maybe associated with other endocrine problems.

However, if both adrenal glands need to be removed, the patient will need to be on hormonal treatment and medication for the rest of her/his live.Īdrenal phaeochromocytomas and extra-adrenal paragangliomas (PGL) have an incidence of 2-8 cases/million per year. In certain cases, it takes time for the adrenal gland to grow, and during that time, the patient can take prescribed medication. An adrenalectomy of only one of the adrenal glands generally does not create hormonal insufficiency, as the second gland will physiologically grow to accommodate the body’s needs. The laparoscopic procedure has replaced open surgery, and is considered the preferred approach for these types of procedures. Adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of both kidneys. Adrenal glands produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions.Īdrenalectomy is mainly performed to treat tumors or excessive activity in the adrenal gland. Similar to other endocrine glands in the body, the adrenal glands receive rich aortic blood from at least three different sources, and have only one central vein. These hormones are necessary for the proper function of the body. The main hormones released are stress related hormones (cortisol, noradrenaline and adrenaline), hormones that regulate metabolism, hormones that affect immune system function, androgens (sex hormones) and hormones for saltwater balance (aldosterone). Microscopically, these glands can be divided into two sections: the inner (medulla) and outer sections (cortex). The Adrenal Glands are a pair of small endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys.

Too much adrenaline disease