Adrenal gland cancer is rare. Adrenal tumor growths are usually noncancerous adenomas, which do not cause any symptoms and rarely require treatment. There are three types of cancerous adrenal gland tumors including adrenocortical carcinoma, neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma; these tumor types cause abnormal production hormones such as dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health.
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands; it is a precursor to the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Adrenocortical tumors can secrete DHEA and cause an increase in estrogen and testosterone levels. There are no studies that discussing the effects of high DHEA level, but a person may be more prone to certain cancers such as breast, ovarian and prostate, in addition to other health effects, according to MedlinePlus.
Adrenal Tumor Types
The body contains two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney. The glands are divided into the outer layer, called the cortex and the inner region, called the medulla. Adrenocortical carcinomas grow within the adrenal cortex and can secrete adrenal hormones like DHEA. When an adrenal tumor overproduces adrenal hormones, symptoms appear, according to the Masonic Cancer Center.
Neuroblastomas are childhood tumors that originate in the adrenal glands and metastasize to the nervous tissue of the abdomen, pelvis, chest and neck. This type of tumor does not secrete adrenal hormones and therefore does not affect DHEA levels, notes the Penn State University Children's Hospital.
Pheochromocytoma tumors are a rare type of adrenal tumor and secrete hormones nore-epinephrine and epinephrine. This tumor type does not affect DHEA levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of an adrenal tumor include pain in the abdomen or back, abdominal swelling, mood swings, anxiety, heart palpitations, irregular heart rate, sweating and weight loss, notes University of Maryland Medical Center.
Signs and symptoms of DHEA level increase may be the masculinization of the female body, causing facial hair, hair loss, sweating, deepened voice, weight gain around the midsection and acne, according to MedlinePlus.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of an adrenal tumor and abnormalities in DHEA level include a 24-hour urinanalysis and blood tests to assess the level of adrenal hormones. A CT scan, MRI or PET scan are methods to view adrenal tumors, according to the Masonic Cancer Center.
Treatment
Treatment may involve the removal of the effected adrenal gland, radiation therapy to shrink tumor size, or chemotherapy to stop tumor growth. Treatment options vary according to cancer stage. Adrenocortical carcinomas have four stages of severity, according to the Masonic Cancer Center.
