The case further highlights the caution that is required diagnostically in the interpretation of incidentally found adrenal masses when other malignancies are present. The case illustrates that surgery of solitary metastases from renal cell carcinoma may be beneficial to the patient. At Urologic Surgeons of Washington, most renal masses less than 2.

The most probable biological pathway to explain this peculiar metastatic pattern is transpulmonal passage of circulating cancer cells and seeding in the adrenal gland on the basis of a particular susceptibility of adrenal tissue to circulating renal cancer cells. Most kidney tumors grow very slowly, and if below a certain size threshold have a very low, less than 1, risk of metastasizing or spreading. In a survey of the literature, 24 previous cases of renal cancer with solitary contralateral adrenal metastasis were identified. Nephrectomy along with contralateral adrenalectomy was performed and histology disclosed renal cell carcinoma stage pT3a pN0 G2 with solitary contralateral adrenal metastasis. Imaging studies for metastases were negative. They can increase your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, strength, and alertness.A 60-year-old female patient presenting with anemia was found to have a left-sided renal tumor and a contralateral adrenal mass of 2 cm in diameter.

Catecholamines (released by the medulla)Ĭatecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) influence how your body responds to stress or fear.

Your DHEA level usually goes down after you turn 30. Your body uses DHEA to make male sex hormones (androgens) and female sex hormones (estrogens). If you have an adrenal tumor, it may affect the production of these hormones:Ĭortisol affects your metabolism and helps you recover from physical stress and infection.Īldosterone regulates your sodium and potassium levels, which affect blood pressure and the balance of fluids and electrolytes (water and salt) in your body. Your adrenal glands produce four common hormones.

The medulla makes hormones that affect how your body responds to stress. The cortex releases hormones that affect your metabolism (the way your body converts what you eat and drink into energy), blood pressure, and physical characteristics, like body shape and where and how much hair grows on your body. Key words: renal cell cancer, adrenal metastasis, solitary metastasis. These two glands, located above the kidneys, are part of your endocrine system, which produces hormones that regulate different bodily functions.Įach adrenal gland has a cortex (an outer layer) and a medulla (an inner region). adrenal masses when other malignancies are present. Adrenal tumors form in the adrenal glands.

Adrenal mass on kidney