(Cancer of the Adrenal Cortex; Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma; Adrenal Cancer)
Definition
Definition
Adrenocortical carcinoma is cancer of the adrenal cortex. The adrenal glands are 2 glands located above each kidney. The glands produce important hormones. These hormones regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and many other vital functions, including response to stress and infection. The adrenal cortex is the outside layer of the 2 adrenal glands.
Cancers of the adrenal cortex are rare. The majority of these tumors produce excess hormones. The excess hormones can change hormonal balance.
Anatomy of the Adrenal GlandsCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
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Causes
Causes
The cause of adrenocortical carcinoma is unknown.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
There are few known risk factors for cancers of the adrenal cortex. A genetic defect may cause adrenocortical cancer in some children, but the majority of cases are nonhereditary.
Symptoms
Symptoms
Approximately 40% of people with adrenocortical carcinoma do not secrete any hormone. These people do not have any specific symptoms. Adrenocortical carcinoma is discovered as part of a physical examination for abdominal pain.
Other tumors are hormonally active. Excess hormones may produce symptoms such as:
- Pain in the abdomen, side, and/or back
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unintended weight loss
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms. A medical and family history will be collected. A physical exam will be done.
Your bodily fluids may be tested. This can be done with:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
Images may be needed of your bodily structures. These can be made with:
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- Positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scan
- Adrenal angiography and/or venography
- X-ray
After cancer of the adrenal cortex is confirmed, you will be referred to an oncologist. This is a cancer specialist.
Additional testing will be done to determine what stage the cancer has reached. The stage of a tumor is determined by its size and how far it has spread from its point of origin.
Treatment
Treatment
Treatment depends on the stage of the tumor and your overall health. Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you.
The following methods are used to treat cancer of the adrenal cortex:
Adrenalectomy Surgery to Remove the Tumor
Surgery to remove the adrenal tumor is the first treatment approach for most cases. Surrounding tissues or lymph nodes that contain cancer cells may also need to be removed.
Radiation therapy and Chemotherapy
These treatments tend to be less effective in treating this type of cancer. They are most often used if the cancer has spread. Chemotherapy may also be used if there is a high chance the cancer will come back.
Other Therapies
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Mitotane is the drug most often used for this type of cancer, especially for hormonally active tumors. It blocks hormone production by the adrenal gland. It also destroys adrenal cancer cells. This drug does have serious side effects.
It is sometimes given in combination with other drugs.
- Other hormone-blocking drugs may be given to control the symptoms of excess hormones.
- Research of new drug and radiation therapies are under way. This includes gene and immunotherapy.
If treatment is successful, you will still need to be screened for reoccurrence of the cancer on a periodic basis.
Prevention
Prevention
There are no known preventive measures. Healthy lifestyle choices may reduce your risk for all types of cancers.
RESOURCES:
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
References:
Adrenocortical carcinoma. National Cancer Institute website. Available at:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/adrenocortical
Accessed June 15, 2015.
Adrenocortical carcinoma: treatment statement for health professionals. National Cancer Institute website. Available at:
http://www.meb.uni-bonn.de/cancer.gov/CDR0000062907.html
Updated June 10, 2015. Accessed June 15, 2015.
Allolio B, Fassnacht M. Adrencortical carcinoma: clinical update. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91:2027-37.
Detailed guide: adrenal cortical cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at:
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/adrenalcorticalcancer/index
Accessed June 15, 2015.
Kirschner LS. Review: emerging treatment strategies for adrnocortical carcinoma: a new hope. J Clin Endocinol Metab. 2006;91:14-21.
Van Ditzhuijsen cI, van de Weijer R, Haak HR: Adrenocortical carcinoma. Neth J Med. 2007;65:55-60.
Last Updated: 5/27/2014