The symptoms of an adrenal cyst may include high blood pressure, anxiety, headache, sweating, weight gain or loss, hair growth, abdominal stretch marks, weakness, low potassium levels, change in sex drive and acne, states Cancer.Net. Anyone who thinks they may have an adrenal cyst should seek a doctor for medical advice.
The good thing about adrenal cysts, also known as tumors or growths, is that they are usually benign and non-functional, states Medscape. This means that even if someone has an adrenal cyst they do not have any symptoms.
Functional cysts are those that produce at least some of the hormones found in the adrenal glands. This includes, estrogen, progesterone, steroids, cortisol, and cortisone and chemicals like adrenaline, notes the United States National Institute of Health's Medline Plus. When this happens the cysts can cause a large burst of hormones to hit the bloodstream at a time. Conditions like Cushing's Syndrome may develop as a result of excess cortisol being pumped out by the cysts.
Since most patients do not have many symptoms, adrenal cysts may not be found until the patient is given an ultrasound, CT scan or MRI. When cysts are functional, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. If symptoms are severe, it may be necessary to remove the cysts surgically.
