We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Renal Adenoma?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 13,938
Share

A renal adenoma is a benign solid tumor in or around the kidneys, arising in glandular tissue. The incidence of these growths in the general population is not known, as they often go undiagnosed and may only be noted incidentally on autopsy findings in patients who die of other conditions. Usually a doctor identifies a renal adenoma when a medical imaging study of the kidneys is requested for an unrelated reason, and the growth appears as a finding on that study.

This type of growth tends to be slow, although there is a potential for differentiation into an aggressive and cancerous tumor. Superficially, renal adenomas can look like renal cell carcinoma, a malignancy, and a doctor will usually request a biopsy to evaluate the cells under a microscope and learn more about the tumor. If the growth is an adenoma, the doctor will not recommend treatment beyond monitoring the patient for any signs of changes.

Typically, patients with this type of growth do not experience symptoms. Sometimes a renal adenoma puts pressure on the kidneys and can create urinary tract obstructions or increase the risk of infection. During evaluation for these problems, the doctor will find the renal adenoma. In the majority of patients, the growth should be asymptomatic and may go unobserved for the patient's entire life. Since autopsies are only ordered in cases where there are concerns about the circumstances of the death, it is hard to determine the frequency of this cancer from autopsy findings alone.

If a renal adenoma starts to cause problems by growing too large or too fast, surgery to remove it is a treatment option. Doctors can also watch the growth for signs it is turning malignant, and could consider chemotherapy or radiation as additional treatment options. Noninvasive treatment approaches are usually preferred because the risks for the patient are much lower. Undergoing surgery to remove a renal adenoma can be ill-advised if the growth is not causing any health problems, as the patient will be exposed to risks of infection, adverse reaction to anesthesia, and kidney damage.

A patient with a renal adenoma should make sure the growth, and as much information as possible, is part of her chart. If another doctor identifies the growth, he can consult the patient's chart to see whether the growth is growing or is a cause for concern. Patients may also want to bring it up with emergency medical personnel to make them aware of the growth, as it might surprise them in medical imaging studies or surgery, and it can be helpful to know that the patient is aware and monitoring it with the assistance of a doctor.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-renal-adenoma.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.