Androgen-secreting tumors in adrenals in gender and age aspects

G. Alimoukhamedova*^a (Dr), Z. Khalimova^a (Prof)

^a Academician Yo. Kh. Turakulov Center for the Scientific and Clinical Study of Endocrinology, Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN

* ali.gulrukh@yandex.ru

Introduction. Adrenal androgen-secreting tumor is a rare pathology. Being hormonal active tumor of reticular area of adrenal cortex these neoplasms are characterized by increased production of androgens and its metabolites.

The objective. The objective of this research was to study clinical peculiarities of androgen-secreting tumors in adrenals dependent on age and gender.

Materials and methods. Among the patients with various neoplasms in adrenals (n=282), who received out-patient and in-patient treatment in the Republican Specialized Scientific Practical Medical Center of Endocrinology of the Uzbekistan Public Healthcare Ministry within the period from 2000 to 2018, androgen-secreting tumors were diagnosed in 9(3.2%) patients: 3(33.3%) men and 6(66.7%) women aged from 1.7 to 34 years old. All patients with adrenal neoplasms had common clinical, biochemical, hormonal, and instrumental tests.

Results and discussion. As well as in the other groups with adrenal neoplasms, there was double prevailing of women. However, correlation of separate age subgroups was significantly different. In this group of patients specific weight of children increased (55.6%) compared to adults under 44 years old (44.4%). In spite of similar etiopathogenetic basis, analysis of clinical manifestations of adrenal androgen-secreting tumors in children and adults revealed certain differences. So, performed analysis confirmed the presence of several symptoms in children, which are not observed in adult population. On the other hand, somatic disorders are more expressed in adults, than in children. Similarity of clinical presentation of adrenal androgen-secreting tumors in children with some other endocrine pathologies makes its early diagnostics significantly more difficult. At the same time during careful observation it is worth to pay attention to clinical data suggesting excessive androgen secretion in children, which can be noted before puberty. It is extremely difficult to differentiate the symptoms caused by androgen excess in male patients, as clinical presentation has no specific manifestations, which probably explains low detection rate of these tumors in men.

The author has declared no conflict of interest.