Adrenal cancer, also called adrenocortical carcinoma, is a rare type of cancer that forms in the outer part of the adrenal gland. The adrenal glands are on top of the kidneys and secrete hormones. Adrenal cancer is very rare, according to the American Cancer Society, with approximately 300 new diagnoses a year, as of 2009. It is most common in individuals ages 45 to 50, but it can be diagnosed at any age, including in childhood. Symptoms of adrenal cancer can be from either the hormones that the tumors and adrenal glands secrete, or from pressing on other organs when the tumors grow.
Sex Hormone-Related Symptoms
In children, symptoms of adrenal cancer, although rare, are often related to male or female hormones, since children are more responsive to these hormones than adults, according to the American Cancer Society. Male hormones, or androgens, tend to cause symptoms such as excess facial, underarm and pubic hair; enlargement of the penis in boys; and clitoral enlargement in girls. If the adrenal tumor makes female hormones, or estrogens, symptoms can include premature puberty in girls and breast development in boys. Since these changes have already occurred in adults, these symptoms are harder to recognize.
Cortisol-Related Symptoms
Sometimes adrenal cancer symptoms are caused by high levels of cortisol, another kind of hormone. High cortisol levels are not always related to adrenal cancer, so your doctor can perform tests to see if the symptoms are indicative of disease. The symptoms resulting from adrenal cancer are often grouped together in a syndrome called Cushing syndrome. Cushing syndrome symptoms can include purple stretch marks on the stomach, depression, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, irregular periods, a lump of fat on the back, and weight gain in the stomach and chest.
High Aldosterone Symptoms and Miscellaneous Symptoms
Aldosterone is another kind of hormone that adrenal glands secrete. Tumors that secrete this hormone can cause symptoms such as weakness, high blood pressure, muscle cramps, frequent urination and increased thirst, according to the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute. These symptoms can be signs of other medical problems, so an accurate diagnosis from your health care provider is important.
If a tumor is pressing on other organs, symptoms can include a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, pain or problems eating because of the size of the tumor.
