Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2025
A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Prevalence and Characteristics of Adrenal Tumors in an Unselected Screening Population : A Cross-Sectional Study
Ying Jing1, Jinbo Hu1, Rong Luo2
1Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (Y.J., J.H., Y.Song, Z.F., Z.W., Q.C., L.M., Y.Y., Z.D., Y.W., T.L., W.H., Y.Sun, Q.L., S.Y.).
Background:
With the widespread use of advanced imaging technology, adrenal tumors are increasingly being identified.
Objective:
To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of adrenal tumors in an unselected screening population in China.
Design:
Cross-sectional study. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04682938).
Setting:
A health examination center in China.
Patients:
Adults having an annual checkup were invited to be screened for adrenal tumors by adrenal computed tomography.
Measurements:
The participants with adrenal tumors had further evaluation for malignancy risk and adrenal function.
Results:
A total of 25 356 participants were screened, 351 of whom were found to have adrenal tumors, for a prevalence of 1.4%. The prevalence increased with age, from 0.2% in participants aged 18 to 25 years to 3.2% in those older than 65 years. Among 351 participants with adrenal tumors, 337 were diagnosed with an adrenocortical adenoma, 14 with another benign nodule, and none with a malignant mass. In 212 participants with an adenoma who completed endocrine testing, 69.3% were diagnosed with a nonfunctioning adenoma, 18.9% with cortisol autonomy, 11.8% with primary aldosteronism, and none with pheochromocytoma. Proportions of nonfunctioning adenomas were similarly high in various age groups (72.2%, 67.8%, and 72.2% in those aged <46, 46 to 65, and ≥66 years, respectively).
Limitation:
Only 212 of 337 participants with an adrenocortical adenoma had endocrine testing.
Conclusion:
The prevalence of adrenal tumors in the general adult screening population is 1.4%, and most of these tumors are nonfunctioning regardless of patient age. Cortisol and aldosterone secretion are the main causes of functional adenomas.
Primary Funding Source:
National Key Research and Development Program of China and National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Adrenal Gland Disorders
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...
01:17Anatomy of the Adrenal Glands
These glands possess a distinctive yellow tinge due to the stored cholesterol and fatty acids required for hormone synthesis. They are encased in a fibrous capsule and cushioned by fat.
The adrenal gland comprises two distinct...
01:31Hormones of the Adrenal Glands
The adrenal cortex, a powerhouse of hormone synthesis, generates over two dozen corticosteroid hormones. The zona glomerulosa produces mineralocorticoids, exemplified by aldosterone, influencing the electrolyte composition of body fluids. The synthesis of glucocorticoids such as cortisol and...
01:08Prevalence and Incidence
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...