Asymmetric Adrenals: Sexual Dimorphism of Adrenal Tumors
Authors' conclusion
Adrenal asymmetry in both sexes may be related to the pathogenesis of adrenal tumors and should be considered during the diagnosis of these tumors.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with adrenal tumors (adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA), CSA, non-aldosterone-producing adrenal cortical adenoma (NAPACA), pheochromocytoma (PCC), neuroblastoma (NB)); human adrenal tissues analysed by multiomics20 adrenal tissues analysed · human adrenal tissues 20
- Participants
- 1,858 / 228 / 68 / 2,174 / 1,824 / 2,320
- Exposure
- Tumor lateralization and occurrence by sex
- ACCn = 1,858
- APAn = 228
- CSAn = 68
- NAPACAn = 2,174
- PCCn = 1,824
- NBn = 2,320
- Outcome
- Tumor occurrence by sex and side
Methodological detailsmulticenter, multiomics analysis of adrenal tissues, literature review of CT and MRI studies of adrenal size
- Multicenter
- Multiomics analysis of adrenal tissues
- Literature review of CT and MRI studies of adrenal size
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
ACC, CSA, NAPACA and PCC more common in females than males (female-to-male ratio)
1.1:1-3.8:1
NB and APA less prevalent in females (female-to-male ratio)
0.8:1
ACC, APA, CSA, NAPACA and NB more frequent in left than right adrenal (left-to-right ratio)
1.1:1-1.8:1
PCC more often in right than left adrenal (left-to-right ratio)
0.8:1
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Adrenal size
- In both sexes the left adrenal was larger than the right; females have smaller adrenals than males
Original publication
Asymmetric Adrenals: Sexual Dimorphism of Adrenal Tumors. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 30 August 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →