adrenal cortical cancer

Adrenal cortical cancer

A malignant tumor of the cortex of the adrenal gland, also known as an adrenocortical carcinoma or adrenal cancer. Only about one or two people in a million develop this very rare form of cancer. When it occurs, it is usually found among adults who are in their 40s or 50s, although adrenal cortical cancer also can be seen in children under the age of five years. It more commonly occurs in females. Sometimes adrenal cortical cancer is found among patients diagnosed
with MULTIPLE ENDOCRINE NEOPLASIA, type 1 (MEN 1). A tumor found in the adrenal medulla or in an area other than the adrenal cortex is known as a
PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA. Some tumors actively secrete hormones, while
others do not. Different studies have shown variable percentages of patients with actively secreting tumors. Patients with actively secreting hormones are discovered upon a physical evaluation of the patient, who typically presents with signs and symptoms of CUSHING’S SYNDROME or virilization (male symptoms in females). This includes hair where it is not typically seen in females, such as on
the chest, face, and so forth.

In the case of patients who have a nonsecreting tumor, the tumor is usually identified because of symptoms caused by its large size. In other cases, the tumor is found serendipitously when the patient has had an imaging study for an unrelated issue. An inactive tumor is more commonly seen in older patients. This type often progresses at a faster rate than those that are hormonally active.
An adrenocortical tumor is usually curable only when it is identified in an early stage, when the tumor is still confined to the adrenal gland. At this point, that particular adrenal gland can be surgically removed. Patients can then live a normal life, with the other adrenal gland taking over full duty to make the appropriate levels of hormones needed by the body. However, discovering this tumor at an early stage is not common. In fact, an early tumor, if discovered, is usually found accidentally.

By the time adrenal cortical cancer is usually identified, it has often metastasized (spread to other organs), typically to the lung, liver, lymph nodes, and bones.