Adrenal Tumor Symptoms

Adrenal tumors don’t always cause symptoms. When they do, the symptoms often depend on whether the tumor is making hormones or pressing on nearby organs.

Common symptoms of adrenal tumors

If you have an adrenal tumor, your symptoms may include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Fatigue
• Weight gain or loss
• Muscle weakness or spasms
• Low potassium levels
• Diabetes
• Insomnia or other sleep disorders
• Headache
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Feelings of excessive anxiety, panic, or fear
• Excessive sweating
• Dizziness/lightheadedness when standing
• Pallor (paleness)
• Tremor
• Temporary or intermittent paralysis (rare)

Hormone-related symptoms may differ by gender:

• In women:
  • Excess facial and body hair
  • Deepening of the voice
  • Irregular or absent menstrual periods
• In men:
  • Breast tenderness or enlargement
  • Decreased libido
  • Erectile dysfunction

Other physical signs include:

• Excess fat in the upper back or neck ("buffalo hump")
• Round, full face ("moon face")
• Thin, fragile skin that bruises easily
• Slow-healing wounds
• Purple-red stretch marks (especially on the abdomen, thighs, or breasts)

These symptoms may develop slowly over time and can often be mistaken for more common conditions.

What does an adrenal tumor feel like?

Adrenal tumors are often painless, especially if they are small or not producing hormones. But in some cases, people may feel:

• A dull ache or pressure in the lower back or side (where the kidneys are located)
• Fullness or bloating in the abdomen, particularly if the tumor is large
• Increased anxiety or mood swings due to hormone imbalances
• Fatigue or muscle weakness, which may be experienced as general tiredness or heaviness in the limbs

Because the adrenal glands are deep in the body, adrenal tumors are rarely felt as lumps from the outside.

Other conditions with similar symptoms

Several other medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to adrenal tumors, making diagnosis more challenging. These include:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Can cause irregular periods, weight gain and excess hair growth in women.
• Thyroid disorders: Conditions like hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism that affect metabolism, weight and energy levels.
• Depression or anxiety disorders: Can lead to fatigue, mood changes, sleep issues or low energy.
• Cushing syndrome (not caused by an adrenal tumor): May occur from long-term steroid use or from pituitary tumors (Cushing disease).
• Primary hypertension: High blood pressure that is not related to excess hormone production.
• Menopause or low testosterone: Can cause fatigue, mood changes and changes in sexual health.
• Pheochromocytoma-like symptoms: Can arise from certain medications, drug use or panic disorders.

When to talk to your doctor

If you are experiencing symptoms that could be related to an adrenal tumor, it is important to speak with your doctor. Diagnostic testing — including blood and urine tests, imaging (CT, MRI), and possibly genetic testing — can help determine the cause.

Learn more about adrenal tumors:

• Adrenal tumor overview
• Adrenal tumor diagnosis
• Adrenal tumor treatment