Hematology and Oncology
Adrenal Mass
February 2002
Clinical Focus*
- What are the causes and prevalence of clinically inapparent adrenal masses that are identified by computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound and are confirmed by histology? What are the prevalence rates for the various causes of inapparent adrenal masses? Are there differences in the rates among the initial diagnostic tests used? What is the relationship of the age and sex of the patient to the likelihood of having a particular pathology? What is the relationship of the size of the mass with the likelihood of having a particular pathology?
- What is the diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity) of evaluation modalities (fine needle aspiration/biopsy, CT, MRI, diagnostic ultrasound imaging (US), biochemical tests) used to differentiate adrenal masses (adrenal carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, adenoma, adrenal hyperplasia, etc.)? What is the risk of metastatic spread of adrenal carcinoma by fine needle aspiration (FNA)?
- What are the surgical complication rates for various approaches used to excise adrenal masses- specifically: laparoscopic, transabdominal, and retroperitoneal approaches?
- What are the patient outcomes after surgical excision of adrenocortical carcinoma (morbidity and mortality)? Are there data on the influence of age and tumor size on the outcomes?
- What evidence is there to support the use of periodic biochemical and imaging studies to follow untreated adrenal masses?
*Addressed in the summary or evidence report.
Management of Clinically Inapparent Adrenal Mass
Summary (Publication No. 02-E013, February 2002)
Evidence Report (Publication No. 02-E014, May 2002)
(File Download)
EPC: New England Medical Center
Topic Nominator: NIH Office of Medical Applications of Research
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