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Adenomas are benign neoplasms that are formed from the epithelial tissue of the external and internal secretion glands. Adenomas most often develop near the organs, hence in medicine there are adenomas of the pituitary, adrenal glands, colon, thyroid, liver, prostate and lungs. Harmless adenomas should not be confused with adenocarcinomas, as this is a completely different disease.

Adenomas , i.e. benign neoplastic changes, develop when the process of abnormal growth of epithelial tissue begins. Some scholars claim that they can arise close to all internal organs.

Adenomas may develop without any symptoms or manifest as bothersome ailments. It all depends on where they are located and built.

Some of the adenomas are hormonally active, which means that they have a very significant impact on the functioning of the entire body. Usually, the hormonal activity of adenomas leads to a disturbance in the proper functioning of many organs.

Adenomas: unclear causes

There is still no clear cause of adenomas. The probable cause of the development of adenomas are changes of a genetic basis. Therefore, all people with a family history of adenomas should be tested more often. It is important to remember which organ was involved. Such knowledge can be a valuable hint for the doctor who diagnoses us.

Adenomas: types

We already know that adenomas can occur in various organs. The most common are adenomas:

  • pituitary gland adenoma
  • pancreatic adenoma
  • adrenal adenoma
  • gastric adenoma
  • liver adenoma
  • prostate adenoma

Adenomas: diagnosis

The diagnosis of adenomas depends on the place of their occurrence. Each time the methods of their detection are selected individually.

Sometimes it is enough to perform hormonal tests, other times it is necessary to have a colonoscopy, ultrasound, scintigraphy or computed tomography or a biopsy. Such a variety of diagnostic tests make it possible to distinguish a benign adenoma from a malignant adenocarcinoma.

What kind of adenoma, such symptoms

AdenomaThe pituitary gland is a tumor located in the lower part of the skull, in the cavity of the sphenoid bone called the Turkish saddle. Larger tumors, over 10 mm in diameter, are called adenomas, and those with a smaller diameter are called microadenomas.

These tumors are hormonally active, i.e. they secrete hormones. Depending on the type of secreted hormones, it is said to be:

  • prolactin adenomas (more than 50% of cases)
  • growth hormone producing adenomas (15-25% of cases)
  • corticotropic adenomas (5% of cases)

Up to 20% of pituitary adenomas are adenomas that do not secrete hormones and are therefore called non-secreting adenomas.

Different pituitary adenomas can cause different symptoms, e.g .:

  • hormonal disorders
  • excessive weight gain
  • growth disturbance
  • Cushing's disease, which is an excess of cortisol in the blood serum or in the urine

But it happens that the tumor does not give any symptoms, and sometimes headaches and pressure in the area of ​​the optic nerve, because it can cause visual disturbances.

Regardless of the type and location of the pituitary adenoma, pharmacological treatment is first applied to normalize the hormonal balance that has been disturbed by the developing neoplasm. In the case of ineffectiveness of pharmaceuticals, surgery may be necessary.

Adrenal adenoma

This is a fairly rare disease that usually takes the form of an adrenocortical adenoma. The tumor very often does not give any symptoms and is therefore detected when diagnosing other ailments using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

However, it happens that hormonally active tumors are dangerous to he alth and cause unpleasant ailments. This is the case, for example, in Cushing's syndrome, the symptoms of which include :

  • skin problems
  • abdominal obesity
  • menstrual disorders
  • hair growth
  • diabetes
  • osteoporosis

The only effective method of defeating adrenal adenoma is surgical removal of the lesion.

Colorectal tubular adenoma

It can occur in three forms, i.e. as a tubular adenoma, a villous adenoma and a mixed adenoma. The risk of these forms of adenomas is significantly increased in people with ulcerative enteritis, Crohn's disease.

Obese people, smokers, and those with a family history of colorectal cancer are also at risk.

It is important to remember that an untreated benign lesion can develop into a malignant lesion over time.This most often happens in the case of changes of a cosmic nature.

Tubular adenomas constitute about 75% of all colorectal adenomas. They are usually up to 10 mm in diameter and can grow in groups. They usually occur in the sigmoid colon, sometimes also as an anal adenoma.

It is estimated that up to 5% of tubular lesions become malignant over time.

Thyroid and parathyroid adenoma

Thyroid adenomas are easily detected by palpating the neck. Your doctor may feel some clear but slight lumps or lumps under your fingers. Such adenomas like to increase in size over time. Then, by pressing on the adjacent organs, they can cause hoarseness or change the timbre of the voice.

Thyroid adenomas occur singly or in groups. Currently, it is rare for them to form the so-called thyroid goitre. Hormonally active adenomas are the cause of an overactive thyroid gland or an overactive parathyroid gland. Like other adenomas, they require pharmacological and / or surgical treatment.

Prostate (prostate) adenoma

Adenoma of the prostate gland (prostate, prostate) usually develops in men over 50 years of age. Prostatic hypertrophy may be manifested by pressure on the urethra and difficulties in urinating, which may result in retention of urine and frequent cystitis.

These symptoms are annoying and hinder normal functioning, because when the bladder is not emptied, urine flows out uncontrollably.

In the case of prostate adenomas, pharmacological treatment is used to relieve symptoms and regulate urination. When the treatment is not effective, surgery is required.

About the authorAnna Jarosz A journalist who has been involved in popularizing he alth education for over 40 years. Winner of many competitions for journalists dealing with medicine and he alth. She received, among others The "Golden OTIS" Trust Award in the "Media and He alth" category, St. Kamil awarded on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, twice the "Crystal Pen" in the national competition for journalists promoting he alth, and many awards and distinctions in competitions for the "Medical Journalist of the Year" organized by the Polish Association of Journalists for He alth.

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Category:

Oncology