Adrenal Cortex Tumors – New Diagnostic Procedure on the Horizon

A diagnosis of adrenal cortex tumors is a particularly complex task that requires new approaches. The adrenal glands play an extremely important role in hormone production, and the appearance of tumors can lead to a disruption of the body’s hormonal balance. Adrenal cortex tumors are rare, but their recognition is crucial for the quality of life and survival of the patient. The aim of developing scientific research is to create increasingly accurate and effective diagnostic methods for identifying adrenal cortex tumors.

The frequency of adrenal cortex tumors increases with age, and in many cases, tumors are discovered during medical examinations conducted for other health problems. Most tumors are benign, but distinguishing them can be particularly difficult. When establishing a diagnosis, various symptoms that may indicate hormonal disorders must be considered, such as fatigue, night sweats, or unexpected weight loss.

The diagnostic challenges of adrenal cortex tumors include the fact that current methods are often painful and invasive, and are not always reliable. Researchers at the Department of Endocrinology at Semmelweis University have developed a new, innovative procedure that can assist in identifying tumors during histological examinations, thus helping to improve patient care.

Adrenal Cortex Tumors: Symptoms and Diagnosis

The recognition of adrenal cortex tumors is often complicated by the fact that the symptoms are very diverse and can overlap with other common diseases. Patients suspected of having an adrenal cortex tumor may experience a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, and in advanced cases, abdominal or back pain.

It is also important to pay attention to hormonal abnormalities, which can lead to increased hair growth in women and hormonal imbalances in men. The medical community faces challenges in establishing an accurate diagnosis, as adrenal cortex tumors often do not show clear signs, and histological examinations can be complicated.

Researchers aim to develop diagnostic procedures that quickly and reliably assist doctors in identifying tumors. In research conducted by Semmelweis University, researchers identified new biomarkers, including microRNAs, which may reflect the characteristics of adrenal cortex tumors.

Innovative Diagnostic Procedure for Identifying Adrenal Cortex Tumors

The research team at the Department of Endocrinology at Semmelweis University recently presented a new, patent-pending innovation that aids in the diagnosis of adrenal cortex tumors. During the research, experts identified a combination of three microRNAs that reliably indicate the benign or malignant nature of the tumor.

The significant advantage of the new procedure is that it greatly simplifies the histological analysis after surgery, which previously required considerable expertise and experience. Researchers aim to apply this diagnostic method during preoperative sampling in the future, which could be based on a simpler, less invasive procedure instead of histological examinations.

During the research, the researchers isolated the microRNAs using quantitative PCR tests and tested various combinations with the help of artificial intelligence. As a result, they were able to identify combinations that help distinguish between tumors with 90% effectiveness. This development offers the possibility of diagnosing adrenal cortex tumors from blood in the future, which could significantly reduce patient risk and increase comfort.

Research Opportunities and Future Prospects

The research aims not only to advance diagnostic procedures but also places great emphasis on future clinical applications. In addition to diagnosing adrenal cortex tumors, the research team plans to develop procedures using microRNAs that can track different disease stages.

Researchers are hopeful that the new procedures will be widely disseminated through both domestic and international collaborations. The goal is to make diagnostic methods related to adrenal cortex tumors available in clinical practice in the future, thereby improving patient care and survival chances.

The researchers stated that they also intend to utilize the experiences gained during the research in university education, thus playing a role in the training of future generations. To increase interest in the field of endocrinology, young researchers are provided with opportunities to participate in scientific student works.

For the members of the research team, this project has opened a new direction. The combination of innovative approaches and artificial intelligence holds significant developmental potential. In future research, the aim is to make the diagnosis and treatment of adrenal cortex tumors even more effective, thereby improving the quality of life for patients.