The pair of adrenal glands are located on top of both kidneys. They are also called suprarenal glands. Adrenal gland produce and  secrete multiple hormons that important in all human daily body functions

What are adrenal tumors?
Tumors of the adrenal glands are rare. However, when present, they can cause a multitude of disorders by excessively secreting certain adrenal-produced hormones. however most of them are not producing any hormons and they are called insidentelomas. Only small procent of adrenal tumar are cancerouse. If this insidenteloma stas to grow its needs to be removed in order to determine tje reson for growth and trteat in case if it is cancer. There are several types of functional tumors of the adrenal glands. They called a pheochromocytoma, Cushing's syndrome and aldosteronoma. If tumor is functional the only treatment is surgical removal of the entire adrenal gland (glands)

What are overactive adrenal glands?
When adrenal glands produce excessive amounts of certain hormones, they are called "functional." Symptoms and treatment depend on which hormones are being overproduced:

• androgenic steroids (androgen hormones) - an overproduction of androgenic steroids (such as testosterone) can lead to exaggerated male characteristics in both men and women, such as hairiness of the face and body, baldness, acne, deeper voice, and more muscularity.

• corticosteroids - an overproduction of corticosteroids can lead to Cushing's syndrome (see below).

• aldosterone - an overproduction of the aldosterone hormone can lead to high blood pressure and to those symptoms associated with low levels of potassium (i.e., weakness, muscle aches, spasms, and sometimes paralysis).

How are overactive adrenal glands diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and medical examination, diagnostic procedures for overactive adrenal glands may include:

• specific blood tests to measure levels of hormones
• urine tests to measure levels of hormones

Treatment of overactive adrenal glands:
Treatment of overactive adrenal glands depends on the cause of the disease. Most of them are treated surgically, but it also depends on extend of the disease, your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies, expectations for the course of the disease. 

Treatment usually include surgical removal of  the entire adrenal gland(s) itself. Certain drugs that block the excessive production of certain hormones may also be administered.

What is Cushing's syndrome?

Cushing's syndrome is the result of the excessive production of corticosteroids by the adrenal glands. An overproduction of corticotropin -- the hormone that controls the adrenal gland -- by the pituitary gland, which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce corticosteroids, may be one cause. In addition, certain lung cancers and other tumors outside the pituitary gland may produce corticotropins. Other causes include benign or cancerous tumors on the adrenal glands.

What are the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome?

The following are the most common symptoms. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• upper body obesity
• round face
• increased fat around neck
• thinning arms and legs
• fragile and thin skin
• stretch marks on abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, and breasts
• bone and muscle weakness
• severe fatigue
• high blood pressure
• high blood sugar
• irritability and anxiety
• excess hair growth in women
• irregular or stopped menstrual cycles in women
• reduced sex drive and fertility in men

How is Cushing's syndrome diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and medical examination, diagnostic procedures for Cushing's syndrome may include:

• x-rays to locate any tumors

• 24-hour urinary test to measure for corticosteroid hormones

• computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) - a non-invasive procedure that takes cross-sectional images of the brain or other internal organs; to detect any abnormalities that may not show up on an ordinary x-ray

• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a non-invasive procedure that produces two-dimensional views of an internal organ or structure, especially the brain or spinal cord

• dexamethasone suppression test - to differentiate whether the excess production of corticotropins are from the pituitary gland or tumors elsewhere

• corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test - to differentiate whether the cause is a pituitary tumor or an adrenal tumor

• other laboratory tests

Treatment for Cushing's syndrome:

Treatment for Cushing's syndrome depends on its cause. Surgery may be needed to remove tumors or the adrenal glands. Other treatment may include radiation, chemotherapy, and use of certain hormone-inhibiting drugs 

What is a pheochromocytoma?
A pheochromocytoma is a benign adrenal gland tumor that secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine hormones. These hormones are responsible for regulating heart rate and blood pressure, among other functions. Pheochromocytomas occur most frequently in young to middle-aged adults between the ages of 30 and 60.

What are the symptoms of pheochromocytoma?
The most common symptom of pheochromocytoma is high blood pressure, which is sometimes extreme. Other symptoms are usually nonexistent, unless the person experiences pressure from the tumor, emotional stress, changes in posture, or is taking beta-blocker drugs for a heart disorder. Each individual may experience symptoms differently. Other symptoms may include:

• rapid pulse
• palpitations
• headache
• nausea
• vomiting
• clammy skin

How is pheochromocytoma diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and medical examination, diagnostic procedures for pheochromocytoma may include:

• blood and urine tests to measure hormone levels

• MRI
• radioisotope scan - MIBG - uses radioactive substances introduced into the body to create an image of the functioning adrenal gland

Treatment for pheochromocytoma
Treatment for pheochromocytoma is surgical - removing the adrenal gland(s) with tumor. Before removing the tumor, however, your physician have to prescribe drugs to control high blood pressure for several weeks prior to surgery.

Rarely pheochromocytomas can be malignant and may metastasize to other organs. This may happens in about 10% of the patients. Chemotherapy following resection of the primary tumor is the treatment of choice for malignant pheochromocytomas.