What Is an Adrenal Cyst?
An adrenal cyst is a growth that appears on the adrenal gland. It is very rare, affecting only one or two people in 10,000. Most adrenal cysts are found incidentally, or by accident, when a patient is examined for other problems. The majority of people who are diagnosed with adrenal gland cysts are female, and although an adrenal cyst can occur at any age, most of them are found in patients between 30 and 60 years of age. There are two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney. The adrenal gland secretes hormones that help regulate blood pressure, heart rate, and sweating. Other hormones secreted by the adrenal glands include corticosteroids, which play a part in regulating the levels of salt in the body, and testosterone. They are regulated by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus.
