Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (735 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A rare benign tumor of the adrenal gland, several centimeters in diameter, composed in varying proportions of adipose tissue, lymphocytes, and primitive myeloid cells, probably a developmental abnormality. (Dorland, 27th ed)
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Myelolipomas.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Neoplasms, Adipose Tissue
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 603 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Myelolipoma” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 81 of them (13.4%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 195 records.
Reviews account for 123 records (20.4%) and meta-analyses for 2. Randomized controlled trials number 1 (0.2%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 143 |
| 2000-2009 | 184 |
| 2010-2019 | 195 |
| 2020 onward | 81 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 123 | 20.4% |
| Meta-analyses | 2 | 0.3% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 1 | 0.2% |
Method: PubMed query "Myelolipoma"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in cancer and oncology
Cancer research spans very different kinds of evidence. Laboratory studies in cell lines and animal models reveal mechanisms but often do not translate to patients. Early-phase trials mainly test safety and dosing, while phase 3 randomized trials and their meta-analyses are the usual basis for treatment conclusions. Outcomes also differ in meaning: tumour shrinkage, progression-free survival and overall survival are not interchangeable, and screening studies can be distorted by lead-time and overdiagnosis. When reading a result, check the cancer type and stage studied, the comparison treatment, and which outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increased expression of ACTH (MC2R) and androgen (AR) receptors in giant bilateral myelolipomas from patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia | 2014 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 26 | cc by PMID 24884994 · DOI · PMC4024625 |
| Simultaneous adrenal and extra-adrenal myelolipoma - an uncommon incident: case report and review of the literature | 2008 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 23 | cc by PMID 18601731 · DOI · PMC2474838 |
| Video-assisted thoracic surgery for primary myelolipoma of the posterior mediastinum | 2016 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 15 | cc by PMID 26762224 · DOI · PMC4712462 |
| Management of patients with adrenal myelolipoma: experience from a tertiary referral centre | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 2 | cc by PMID 39230649 · DOI · PMC11666644 |
Increased expression of ACTH (MC2R) and androgen (AR) receptors in giant bilateral myelolipomas from patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundAlthough chronic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and androgen hyperstimulation are assumed to be involved in the pathogenesis of adrenal myelolipomas associated with poor-compliance patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), the expression of their receptors has not yet been demonstrated in these tumors so far.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionThese findings are the first evidence for MC2R or AR overexpression in giant bilateral myelolipomas from poor-compliance CAH patients.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (219 words)
BackgroundAlthough chronic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and androgen hyperstimulation are assumed to be involved in the pathogenesis of adrenal myelolipomas associated with poor-compliance patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), the expression of their receptors has not yet been demonstrated in these tumors so far.MethodsWe analyzed Melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R), Androgen Receptor (AR), Leptin (LEP), and Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) expression using real-time qRT-PCR in two giant bilateral adrenal myelolipomas from two untreated simple virilizing CAH cases and in two sporadic adrenal myelolipomas. In addition, the X-chromosome inactivation pattern and CAG repeat numbers in AR exon 1 gene were evaluated in the 4 cases.ResultsThe MC2R gene was overexpressed in myelolipomas from 3 out of 4 patients. AR overexpression was detected in 2 tumors: a giant bilateral myelolipoma in a CAH patient and a sporadic case. Simultaneous overexpression of AR and MC2R genes was found in two of the cases. Interestingly, the bilateral giant myelolipoma associated with CAH that had high androgen and ACTH levels but lacked MC2R and AR overexpression presented a significantly shorter AR allele compared with other tumors. In addition, X-chromosome inactivation pattern analysis showed a polyclonal origin in all tumors, suggesting a stimulatory effect as the trigger for tumor development.ConclusionThese findings are the first evidence for MC2R or AR overexpression in giant bilateral myelolipomas from poor-compliance CAH patients.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 24884994 · DOI · PMC4024625
Simultaneous adrenal and extra-adrenal myelolipoma - an uncommon incident: case report and review of the literature [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundExtra-adrenal myelolipomas are rare benign tumours.
- Closing excerpt
- We conclude that such lesions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a fat-containing tumour in the retroperitoneal tissue/compartment.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (111 words)
BackgroundExtra-adrenal myelolipomas are rare benign tumours. Other soft tissue tumours such as well-differentiated liposarcomas appear morphological almost identical. Preoperative imaging and especially biopsy are important tools to diagnose these lesions.Case presentationWe report a very seldom case of a simultaneous myelolipoma of the adrenal gland in association with an extra-adrenal myelolipoma in an 75-year-old man. With a review of the literature we describe and discuss the aetiology, differential diagnosis and treatment of patients with respect to adrenal and extra-adrenal lesions.ConclusionThe appearance of a simultaneous adrenal and extra-adrenal myelolipoma is a rare incident. We conclude that such lesions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a fat-containing tumour in the retroperitoneal tissue/compartment.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 18601731 · DOI · PMC2474838
Video-assisted thoracic surgery for primary myelolipoma of the posterior mediastinum [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundMyelolipoma is an uncommon tumor comprising adipose tissue and normal hematopoietic cells and mainly occurs in the adrenal cortex.
- Closing excerpt
- We recommend surgery as a treatment option for posterior mediastinal tumors.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (147 words)
BackgroundMyelolipoma is an uncommon tumor comprising adipose tissue and normal hematopoietic cells and mainly occurs in the adrenal cortex. Mediastinal myelolipoma is very rare; we report a case of posterior mediastinal myelolipoma that required surgical resection.Case presentationA 56-year-old male was diagnosed with a posterior mediastinal tumor by computed tomography. The tumor was originally noted in 2005, and during follow-up in March 2014, it was found to have increased in size. During consultation at our hospital, on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we considered the possibility that the tumor was malignant. Consequently, we resected the tumor by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). The histopathological findings revealed that the tumor had undergone intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis. However, after considering the patient's background and histopathological findings, we diagnosed the tumor as a thoracic extra-adrenal myelolipoma.ConclusionsPathological analysis was instrumental in clarifying the diagnosis. We recommend surgery as a treatment option for posterior mediastinal tumors.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 26762224 · DOI · PMC4712462
Management of patients with adrenal myelolipoma: experience from a tertiary referral centre [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundAdrenal myelolipomas are rare, benign, tumours of the adrenal cortex.
- Closing excerpt
- The surveillance of adrenal myelolipomas, even in patients with adrenal lesions > 4 cm, is a safe clinical strategy, provided the imaging characteristics are benign and patients remain asymptomatic.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (258 words)
BackgroundAdrenal myelolipomas are rare, benign, tumours of the adrenal cortex.AimsThis study reports the experience of a tertiary adrenal surgery referral centre's approach to the management of patients with adrenal myelolipoma.MethodsA retrospective observational cohort study was conducted on all adult patients (> 18 years age) diagnosed with adrenal myelolipoma from January 1, 2014, to December 30, 2022. Demographics, imaging characteristics, histological diagnosis (where applicable) and follow-up data were compared between patients undergoing surgery and those referred to surveillance. Indications for operative intervention were recorded at the time of multidisciplinary team discussion, consisting of surgeons, endocrinology physicians, radiologists, pathologists and specialist nursing representatives.ResultsOf the 522 patients with an adrenal lesion discussed in adrenal tumour meeting between 2014 and 2022, n = 15 (2.8%) were diagnosed with adrenal myelolipoma. Of the 15 patients, 4 underwent adrenalectomy at first presentation (27%), while 1 patient underwent adrenalectomy after interval follow-up. Indications for operative intervention were as follows: 'indeterminate lesion' (n = 3), 'abdominal pain and size (> 4 cm)' (n = 1) and 'mass effect on adjacent organs' (n = 1). The mean rate of lesion growth in patients referred for surveillance (n = 10) was 0.13 cm/year. Histology confirmed adrenal myelolipoma as the diagnosis in all resected tumours.ConclusionsFor patients with adrenal myelolipoma, the presence of symptoms and/or indeterminate features on imaging may be more clinically useful indications for operative intervention over size alone. The surveillance of adrenal myelolipomas, even in patients with adrenal lesions > 4 cm, is a safe clinical strategy, provided the imaging characteristics are benign and patients remain asymptomatic.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39230649 · DOI · PMC11666644
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Uncommon adrenal masses: CT and MRI features with histopathologic correlation [5]
- Research article Adrenal myelolipoma: a comprehensive review [6]
- Research article Adrenal myelolipomas [7]
- Research article Prevalence and Characteristics of Adrenal Tumors and Myelolipomas in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [8]
- Research article Adrenal myelolipoma associated with endocrine dysfunction: review of the literature [9]
- Research article Spontaneous rupture of adrenal myelolipoma: spiral CT appearance [10]
References
- Almeida MQ, Kaupert LC, Brito LP, Lerario AM, Mariani BM, Ribeiro M, et al.. Increased expression of ACTH (MC2R) and androgen (AR) receptors in giant bilateral myelolipomas from patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. . 2014. PMID 24884994 · DOI · PMC4024625
- Zieker D, Königsrainer I, Miller S, Vogel U, Sotlar K, Steurer W, et al.. Simultaneous adrenal and extra-adrenal myelolipoma - an uncommon incident: case report and review of the literature. . 2008. PMID 18601731 · DOI · PMC2474838
- Himuro N, Minakata T, Oshima Y, Tomita Y, Kataoka D, Yamamoto S, et al.. Video-assisted thoracic surgery for primary myelolipoma of the posterior mediastinum. . 2016. PMID 26762224 · DOI · PMC4712462
- Paul A, Toale C, Egan M, Whelan M, Feeney J, Crowther S, et al.. Management of patients with adrenal myelolipoma: experience from a tertiary referral centre. . 2024. PMID 39230649 · DOI · PMC11666644
- Guo YK, Yang ZG, Li Y, Deng YP, Ma ES, Min PQ, et al.. Uncommon adrenal masses: CT and MRI features with histopathologic correlation. Eur J Radiol. 2007. PMID 17532488 · DOI
- Decmann Á, Perge P, Tóth M, Igaz P. Adrenal myelolipoma: a comprehensive review. Endocrine. 2018. PMID 29164520 · DOI
- Calissendorff J, Juhlin CC, Sundin A, Bancos I, Falhammar H. Adrenal myelolipomas. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2021. PMID 34450092 · DOI · PMC8851410
- Nermoen I, Falhammar H. Prevalence and Characteristics of Adrenal Tumors and Myelolipomas in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Endocr Pract. 2020. PMID 33471666 · DOI
- Umpierrez MB, Fackler S, Umpierrez GE, Rubin J. Adrenal myelolipoma associated with endocrine dysfunction: review of the literature. Am J Med Sci. 1997. PMID 9365337 · DOI
- Russell C, Goodacre BW, vanSonnenberg E, Orihuela E. Spontaneous rupture of adrenal myelolipoma: spiral CT appearance. Abdom Imaging. 2000. PMID 10926199 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.