Adrenal insufficiency and other adrenal oncologic emergencies

Normal function of the adrenal gland can be disrupted not only by metastases of nonadrenal cancers but also by their treatment. In addition, tumors of the adrenal gland itself can cause disease by hypersecretion of a variety of hormones, adrenal gland destruction with inadequate production of cortisol, and by metastasis to other sites. Although rare, abnormal adrenal function should be considered in the appropriate clinical settings as failure to recognize and treat can result in significant morbidity and mortality. The adrenal "incidentaloma" is a frequent finding of abdominal radiologic studies. All patients with an unexpected adrenal mass should be referred for further evaluation.