Rashmi, Roy, MD, FACS, endocrine surgeon for the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro, outlines how adrenal tumors can cause patients to display symptoms of hypertension and diabetes. Before a patient finally sees an endocrinologist, they may have already been unsuccessfully treated for their hypertension on multiple occasions. A tumor on a specific layer of their adrenal gland may be the culprit.

Possible adrenal gland masses that could be causing the hypertension are a primary hyperaldosteronism, Cushing’s Syndrome, or a pheochromocytoma, and can be identified through a combination of blood work, urine testing, and imaging. Once identified and confirmed, patients can often be treated quickly in an outpatient setting with a laparoscopic procedure.

Rashmi Roy, MD, FACS – No Relevant Associations to Disclose