Among 3,672 adrenal incidentalomas in Japan, 50.8% were non-functioning adenomas, 10.5% were cortisol-producing adenomas, 8.5% were pheochromocytomas, and 1.4% were adrenocortical carcinomas.
Observational (n=3,672)
Yes
While approximately half of adrenal incidentalomas are non-functioning adenomas, a significant proportion are hormonally active or malignant, necessitating careful evaluation and follow-up.
This paper aims to evaluate the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of incidentally discovered adrenal masses, referred to as adrenal incidentalomas, in Japan. The original study had been carried out as a project of a research proposed on behalf of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, from 1999 to 2004. This nationwide multicenter study has examined clinically diagnosed 3,672 cases of adrenal incidentalomas, involving 1,874 males and 1,738 females, with mean age 58.1±13.0 years (mean ± SD). The mean nodule size of adrenal incidentaloma based on computed tomography (CT) was 3.0±2.0 cm. Compared to non-functioning adenomas, tumor diameters were found to be significantly larger in adrenocortical carcinomas, pheochromocytomas, cortisol-producing adenomas, myelolipomas, metastatic tumors, cysts, and ganglioneuromas (p< 0.01). Endocrinological evaluations demonstrated that 50.8% of the total adrenal incidentalomas were non-functioning adenomas, while 10.5%, including 3.6% with subclinical Cushing's syndrome, were reported as cortisol-producing adenomas, 8.5% as pheochromocytomas, and 5.1% as aldosterone-producing adenomas. Adrenocortical carcinomas were accounted for 1.4% (50 cases) among our series of adrenal incidentalomas. In conclusion, while almost 50% of adrenal incidentalomas are non-functional adenomas, we must exercise great caution as adrenal incidentalomas also include pheochromocytomas or adrenocortical carcinomas, because they may be asymptomatic.
Hajime Ueshiba (Wed,) conducted a observational in Adrenal incidentaloma (n=3,672). Among 3,672 adrenal incidentalomas in Japan, 50.8% were non-functioning adenomas, 10.5% were cortisol-producing adenomas, 8.5% were pheochromocytomas, and 1.4% were adrenocortical carcinomas.