Adrenal cancer is a condition that occurs when abnormal cells form in or travel to the adrenal glands. Your body has two adrenal glands, one located above each kidney. Adrenal cancer usually occurs in the outermost layer of the glands, or the adrenal cortex. It generally appears as a tumor.

A cancerous tumor of the adrenal gland is called an adrenal cortical carcinoma. A noncancerous tumor of the adrenal gland is called a benign adenoma.

If you have cancer in the adrenal glands, but it didn’t originate there, it’s not considered an adrenal cortical carcinoma. Cancers of the breast, stomach, kidney, skin, and lymphoma are most likely to spread to the adrenal glands.

TYPES of ADRENAL GLAND TUMOR

Benign adenomas

Benign adenomas are relatively small, usually less than 2 inches in diameter. Most people with this type of tumor have no symptoms. These tumors usually occur on only one adrenal gland, but they can appear on both glands in rare instances.

Adrenal cortical carcinomas

Adrenal cortical carcinomas are usually much larger than benign adenomas. If a tumor is more than 2 inches in diameter, it’s more likely to be cancerous. Sometimes, they can grow large enough to press on your organs, leading to more symptoms. They can also sometimes produce hormones that cause changes in the body.

SYMPTOMS

Androgen or estrogen production

In children, symptoms are most often caused by the androgens (male-type hormones) that the tumor secretes. The most common symptoms are excessive growth of facial and body hair (such as in the public and underarm areas). Male hormones may also enlarge the penis in boys or the clitoris in girls.

If the tumor secretes estrogens (female-type hormones), girls can start puberty early. This can cause breasts to develop and menstrual periods to start. Estrogen-producing tumors can also enlarge breasts in boys.

Women with tumors that make androgens (male hormones) may notice excessive facial and body hair growth, a receding hairline, irregular menstrual periods, and deepening of their voice.

Cortisol production

Excessive levels of cortisol causes a problem known as Cushing syndrome. Some people have all of these symptoms, but many people with high cortisol levels have only a few. Possible signs and symptoms include:

• Fat deposits behind the neck and shoulders
• Purple stretch marks on the abdomen
• Excessive hair growth on the face, chest, and back in women
• Menstrual irregularities
• Weakness and loss of muscle mass in the legs
• Easy bruising
• High blood sugar levels, often leading to diabetes
• High blood pressure

Cushing syndrome may be caused by an adrenal cancer or an adrenal adenoma that makes high levels of cortisol and/or related hormones, but it can also have other causes. For example, benign pituitary gland tumors can make high levels of another hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This is often called Cushing disease.

Aldosterone production

The main signs and symptoms caused by aldosterone-producing adrenal tumors are:

• High blood pressure
• Weakness
• Muscle cramps
• Low blood potassium levels

Adrenal adenomas often make aldosterone, but adrenal cancers rarely do.

Regards
Amalia Azzarti
Managing Editor
Journal of clinical Oncology and Cancer Research.