Definition

Tumors that occur on one or both of the adrenal glands.

Description

The two small adrenal glands, one located just above each kidney, are among the many endocrine (hormone-secreting) glands in the body. All endocrine glands make and store hormones. Hormones are chemical messages that are sent from an endocrine gland and are received by an organ or a cell to trigger a specific reaction. When the body requires hormone levels to rise, endocrine glands secrete them into the bloodstream. Adrenal gland tumors often cause overproduction of one or a combination of the adrenal hormones.

An adrenal gland has two parts, each of which secretes different hormones. The inner part is called the adrenal medulla, and the outer part is the adrenal cortex.

The adrenal...