What Is Adrenal Cancer

The adrenals are small glands that sit above each of the kidneys. The kidneys are found deep inside the upper part of the abdomen.

The adrenal gland is made up of 2 parts. The outer part, called the cortex, is where adrenal cortical tumors start. The job of the cortex is to make certain hormones for the body. These hormones are called steroids.

The inner portion of the adrenal gland, called the medulla, is really a part of the nervous system. Nervous system hormones are made in the medulla. Tumors of the adrenal medulla are not covered in this article. The information here refers only to tumors of the adrenal cortex.

There are two main types of adrenal cortex tumors.

• benign (not cancerous) tumors, called adenomas



• adrenal cortical carcinoma; these tumors are cancerous

Most tumors of the adrenal cortex are benign adenomas. These are small tumors, usually less than 2 inches (5 centimeters) in diameter. They usually occur in only one adrenal gland, but sometimes are in both glands.

Most people with adenomas have no symptoms. They don?t know they have a tumor unless it is found when tests are being done because of other health problems. Some of these tumors make excess hormones, which may or may not cause symptoms. These symptoms are discussed in the section, "Can Adrenal Cortical Cancer Be Found Early?"

Adenomas can be cured by taking out the adrenal gland that contains the tumor. This operation can be done through a cut (incision) through the front of the belly (abdomen) or the back. It might also be done with laparoscopic surgery. To do this a thin tube with a tiny camera is inserted through a small cut in the patient?s side. Tools used through this small tube allow the surgeon to remove the adrenal gland with the tumor. Some adrenal adenomas can be treated with medicines. This might be a good option for patients with other medical problems who might not be able to withstand surgery. Still other small adenomas that are not causing any symptoms do not need any treatment at all.

The remainder of this document refers to adrenal cancers only, and not to adenomas.

Adrenal cortical carcinomas are usually found because of the symptoms they cause. They may make hormones that cause body changes such as weight gain, fluid build-up, early puberty in children, or excess facial or body hair in women. Some adrenal cancers get very large and cause symptoms by pressing on other organs. This can cause pain, a feeling of fullness, and weight loss because it is hard to eat very much. In most cases, adrenal cortical cancers are much larger than adenomas. If a tumor is larger than about 2 to 2-1/2 inches (5 or 6 centimeters), it is most likely cancer.

Some cancers start in other organs and then spread to the adrenal glands. For example, lung and breast cancers often spread to the adrenals. But these cancers are still named after the place where they started. They are not called adrenal cancers.