Patients with adrenal diseases, either functioning or nonfunctioning tumours, may require surgical treatment. Hormonal evaluations for various functioning tumours including primary hyperaldosteronism, Cushing syndrome and pheochromocytoma should be performed. Incidentally discovered adrenal masses should be investigated according to a standard protocol to confirm functioning tumours and to diagnose malignancy.

Adrenalectomy, through laparoscopy, has become the new standard of treatment for the majority of patients requiring adrenalectomy. Selected patients with large, and potentially malignant, adrenal lesions have been operated on using this approach with encouraging results. Patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy are usually discharged within 1-3 days after the operation.