BACKGROUND:

Adrenal tumors are a common kind of tumor. Some of these secrete extra cortisol into the body, which can lead to diabetes, obesity, and other diseases. Some people with extra cortisol will show symptoms like bruising and muscle weakness. Others will show no signs. Those patients without signs are diagnosed as subclinical hypercortisolism. Some of these adrenal tumors become malignant. Researchers want to know the best way to treat people with subclinical hypercortisolism. They want to know if removing the tumor by surgery reduces the long-term effects of the disease.

OBJECTIVES:

To see if removing an adrenal tumor by surgery improves blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, or cholesterol, and cancer detection.

ELIGIBILITY:

Adults 18 and older with an adrenal tumor and high cortisol without any signs of Cushing’s.

DESIGN:

• Participants will be screened with medical history, blood tests, and a CT scan.
• Participants will have a baseline visit. They will have blood and urine tests and 7 scans. For most scans, a substance is injected through a tube in the arm. Participants will lie still on a table in a machine that takes images.
• Participants will have surgery to remove their tumor. Some will have surgery right away. Some will have surgery 6 months later, after 2 follow-up appointments.
• Participants will have 4 follow-up visits in the first year after surgery. They will have 2 visits the second year, then yearly visits for 3 years. At each follow-up visit, they will have scans and blood tests.

Sponsoring Institute: National Cancer Institute

Link to Study

For more information or subject referrals contact:

Electron Kebebew, M.D.
Chief, Endocrine Oncology Branch
National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: 301-496-5049
Fax: 301-402-1788
Email: [email protected]