Question 1

What is the Meaning of ACA?

Accepted Answer

ACA, or Adrenocortical Adenoma, designates a benign tumor arising from the adrenal cortex, the outer layer of the adrenal gland. These usually small, non-cancerous growths may lead to excessive hormone production, particularly cortisol or aldosterone, influencing the body's endocrine balance. Recognizing their nature is vital for clinical assessment.

Question 2

What is the Context of ACA?

Accepted Answer

Situated atop each kidney, the adrenal glands are vital components of the endocrine system, responsible for synthesizing various hormones crucial for stress response, metabolism, and electrolyte balance. An ACA develops within this gland's cortex, potentially disrupting its normal physiological function and the precise regulation of hormones that influence systemic health.

Question 3

What is the Significance of ACA?

Accepted Answer

The presence of an ACA can have significant clinical implications, ranging from asymptomatic discovery to overt hormonal syndromes like Cushing's syndrome due to cortisol excess or primary aldosteronism from aldosterone overproduction. Recognizing these symptoms and their underlying cause is paramount for guiding effective treatment strategies and improving patient well-being.

Question 4

What is the Mechanism of ACA?

Accepted Answer

An ACA typically arises from localized cortical cell proliferation. Many are non-functional; however, functional adenomas acquire autonomous secretory capacity, producing hormones independently of normal regulatory feedback loops. This uncontrolled hormone release can lead to systemic effects, such as hypertension or metabolic disturbances, contingent on the specific hormone.

Question 5

What is the Application of ACA?

Accepted Answer

In clinical practice, ACA identification often occurs incidentally during imaging for unrelated conditions, termed an "incidentaloma." If hormonal excess is suspected, diagnostic protocols involve specific biochemical tests to confirm overproduction, followed by imaging for lesion localization. Management ranges from watchful waiting for non-functional adenomas to surgical removal for functional or growing lesions.

Question 6

What is the Metric of ACA?

Accepted Answer

Assessing an ACA involves a combination of imaging and biochemical evaluation. Imaging modalities like CT or MRI scans help characterize the size and features of the adrenal mass. Hormonal assays, including 24-hour urinary free cortisol, plasma aldosterone-to-renin ratio, and dexamethasone suppression tests, are crucial for determining functional status and guiding clinical decisions.

Question 7

What is the Risk of ACA?

Accepted Answer

Untreated functional ACAs pose risks such as persistent hypertension, hypokalemia, diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis, stemming from chronic hormone excess. Surgical risks, though generally low for adrenalectomy, include bleeding, infection, and potential for adrenal insufficiency requiring hormone replacement. Careful clinical evaluation minimizes these risks and ensures appropriate patient care.

ACA

Meaning

Context

Significance

Mechanism

Application

Metric

Risk

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