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Adrenal tumours are more predominant in females regardless of their histological subtype: a review

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Abstract

Objectives

Adrenal tumours are a heterogeneous group of rare tumours. The aim of this article was to critically review gender-specific differences in the incidence, prognosis and symptoms of the different subtypes of adrenal tumours.

Methods

Data acquisition regarding gender differences in adrenal tumours was performed using MEDLINE searches with combinations of the following keywords: adrenal tumours, gender, sex differences, adrenocortical carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, incidentaloma, risk factors and genetic aspects.

Results

Data are scarce in the literature concerning the effects of gender on adrenal lesions. Although the incidence of most types of tumours (other than breast cancer and other gender-related tumours) is higher in men than in women, evidence suggests that adrenal tumours (i.e. incidentalomas, adrenal carcinomas, oncocytomas and adrenal cysts) are more frequent in women than in men. In addition, female patients have significantly increased numbers of self-reported signs and symptoms of pheochromocytoma than male patients, irrespective of biochemical phenotype and tumour presentation. Relatively little research has been performed examining the reasons for these disparities. However, hormonal interactions involving complex adrenal, endocrine and neurocrine functions together with variations in hormonal receptor sensitivity have been hypothesised to be involved.

Conclusion

Gender differences exist in the incidence and symptoms of several subtypes of adrenal tumours. The reasons for these disparities are not well established. In addition to epidemiological data, these results need to be further investigated to better understand the role of genetic and hormonal predispositions in the development, behaviour and aggressiveness of adrenal tumours.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academic Department of Urology of Georges Pompidou European Hospital (HEGP), Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes , University Paris V, Paris, France

    François Audenet & Arnaud Méjean

  2. Academic Department of Urology of la Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Faculté de Médecine Pierre et Marie Curie and Institut Universitaire de Cancérologie GRC ONCOTYPE, University Paris VI, 47-83 Boulevard de l’hôpital, 75013, Paris, France

    Emmanuel Chartier-Kastler & Morgan Rouprêt

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  1. François Audenet
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  2. Arnaud Méjean
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  3. Emmanuel Chartier-Kastler
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  4. Morgan Rouprêt
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Correspondence to Morgan Rouprêt.

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Audenet, F., Méjean, A., Chartier-Kastler, E. et al. Adrenal tumours are more predominant in females regardless of their histological subtype: a review. World J Urol 31, 1037–1043 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-012-1011-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-012-1011-1

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