Becca -- yes rapid surgery is still the approach of choice for most
adrenal growths.  Lupron seems to shrink certain types of growths (the
safer types, actually) but it does not affect other types at all.  The
last three studies on the cheaper option that is currently trying for
USDA approval for future use in the U.S.  does not affect some growths
at all but it is unknown if it might help shrink the safer types.  If it
becomes possible at some point to know what TYPE of growth is present
without surgery then not all will need surgery to be safest.  Melatonin
does not appear to shrink growths.  It might slow rates a little or it
might only tackle some symptoms.  For insulinoma rapid surgery by a very
competent surgeon can help avoid a recurrence in about 60% of ferrets,
but that is no where near the success rate of rapid surgery for adrenal
growths when possible to do.  It can sometimes be hard to spot these
problems early on, though, and that is especially true for insulinoma, so
for that unlike adrenal growths going to surgery is not as fast and true
a recommendation for all who don't have medical reasons to not operate.
 
There HAVE been well designed studies, so this is known info.  Sorry, I
know that this is not what some wanted to read, but when there is good
hard info out there it pays to respect it and then modify stances only
as more good hard study by veterinary expert researchers better informs.
 
I have been enjoying the prevention and treatment discussions and
recommend:
the FML archives (The address is in every day's header.)
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org  (especially -- but not limited to --
posts from AFERRETVET in the Complete Ferret Health List Archives) and
http://miamiferret.org/fhc
 
Of interest for searches besides the broader terms:
Lupron
melatonin
darkness
Supralorin
Prednisolone (vs. Prednisone)
Diazoxide
Percorten
Fludrocort/Florinef
Propecia/Proscar
Epogen
etc.
[Posted in FML issue 4802]