Gastrointestinal (GI) Oncology Program

Adrenocortical Carcinoma (Cancer of the Adrenal Cortex)

What is Adrenocortical Carcinoma?

There are two adrenal glands, one above each kidney in the back of the upper abdomen. Each adrenal gland is composed of two layers:

The adrenal cortex, or outer layer of the adrenal gland, which produces a variety of steroid hormones;
The adrenal medulla, or inner layer of the adrenal gland, which produces the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Cancer of the adrenal cortex, also called adrenocortical carcinoma, is discussed below. (Cancer of the adrenal medulla, also called pheochromocytoma, is discussed separately.)

The cells in the adrenal cortex make important hormones that help the body function properly. When cells in the adrenal cortex become cancerous, they may make too much of one or more hormones, which can cause symptoms such as high blood pressure, weakening of the bones, or diabetes. Cancers that make hormones are called functioning tumors. However, many cancers of the adrenal cortex do not make extra hormones and are called nonfunctioning tumors.

A person with the following symptoms should see a doctor: pain in the abdomen, loss of weight without dieting, and weakness. If there is a functioning tumor, there may be symptoms or signs caused by too many hormones, such as high blood pressure, weakening of the bones, or diabetes.

If a patient has symptoms of cancer of the adrenal cortex, the doctor will order blood and urine tests to see whether the amounts of hormones in the body are normal. A doctor may also order a computed tomography scan, a special x-ray that uses a computer to make a picture of the inside of the abdomen. Other special x-rays may also be taken to determine what kind of tumor is present.

The chance of recovery (prognosis) from cancer of the adrenal cortex depends on how far the cancer has spread (the stage of the disease) and on whether a doctor is able to surgically remove all of the cancer.

This page was last updated on: February 29, 2008.

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