The adrenal glands are small and shaped like a triangle. One adrenal gland sits on top of each kidney. Each adrenal gland has two parts. The outer layer of the adrenal gland is the adrenal cortex. The centre of the adrenal gland is the adrenal medulla.
The adrenal cortex makes important hormones that :
· Balance the water and salt in the body.
· Help control the body’s use of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
· Cause the body to have masculine or feminine characteristics.
Adrenocortical carcinoma is also called cancer of the adrenal cortex. A tumour of the adrenal cortex may be functioning (makes more hormones than normal) or nonfunctioning (does not make more hormones than normal). Most adrenocortical tumours are functioning. The hormones made by functioning tumors may cause certain signs or symptoms of disease.1
The incidence of adrenocortical carcinoma is approximately 1–2 per million per year and is more common in women (55–65%) than in men (35–45%).2
The symptoms of ACC will vary, based on the size of the tumor and hormonal secretion. Many patients may be asymptomatic or have no symptoms. Some patients may have mild symptoms at the time of diagnosis.
If the adrenal mass is large, it may cause pain or abdominal discomfort. When presenting with symptoms of hormone excess, symptoms may include those of Cushing Syndrome in both men and women.
Common symptoms of Cushing Syndrome are weight gain, thin bones, and high blood pressure. When there is too much androgen production, men are usually asymptomatic, but women may develop features of androgen excess. This may include acne, hirsutism, amenorrhea, and alopecia, a condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicles and leads to hair loss. When aldosterone secreting, patients may have low potassium and hypertension that is resistant to multiple medications.3
The symptoms of ACC will vary, based on the size of the tumor and hormonal secretion. Many patients may be asymptomatic or have no symptoms. Some patients may have mild symptoms at the time of diagnosis.
If the adrenal mass is large, it may cause pain or abdominal discomfort. When presenting with symptoms of hormone excess, symptoms may include those of Cushing Syndrome in both men and women.
Common symptoms of Cushing Syndrome are weight gain, thin bones, and high blood pressure. When there is too much androgen production, men are usually asymptomatic, but women may develop features of androgen excess. This may include acne, hirsutism, amenorrhea, and alopecia, a condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicles and leads to hair loss. When aldosterone secreting, patients may have low potassium and hypertension that is resistant to multiple medications.3
The symptoms of ACC will vary, based on the size of the tumor and hormonal secretion. Many patients may be asymptomatic or have no symptoms. Some patients may have mild symptoms at the time of diagnosis.
If the adrenal mass is large, it may cause pain or abdominal discomfort. When presenting with symptoms of hormone excess, symptoms may include those of Cushing Syndrome in both men and women.
Common symptoms of Cushing Syndrome are weight gain, thin bones, and high blood pressure. When there is too much androgen production, men are usually asymptomatic, but women may develop features of androgen excess. This may include acne, hirsutism, amenorrhea, and alopecia, a condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicles and leads to hair loss. When aldosterone secreting, patients may have low potassium and hypertension that is resistant to multiple medications.3
The symptoms of ACC will vary, based on the size of the tumor and hormonal secretion. Many patients may be asymptomatic or have no symptoms. Some patients may have mild symptoms at the time of diagnosis.
If the adrenal mass is large, it may cause pain or abdominal discomfort. When presenting with symptoms of hormone excess, symptoms may include those of Cushing Syndrome in both men and women.
Common symptoms of Cushing Syndrome are weight gain, thin bones, and high blood pressure. When there is too much androgen production, men are usually asymptomatic, but women may develop features of androgen excess. This may include acne, hirsutism, amenorrhea, and alopecia, a condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicles and leads to hair loss. When aldosterone secreting, patients may have low potassium and hypertension that is resistant to multiple medications.3
The symptoms of ACC will vary, based on the size of the tumor and hormonal secretion. Many patients may be asymptomatic or have no symptoms. Some patients may have mild symptoms at the time of diagnosis.
If the adrenal mass is large, it may cause pain or abdominal discomfort. When presenting with symptoms of hormone excess, symptoms may include those of Cushing Syndrome in both men and women.
Common symptoms of Cushing Syndrome are weight gain, thin bones, and high blood pressure. When there is too much androgen production, men are usually asymptomatic, but women may develop features of androgen excess. This may include acne, hirsutism, amenorrhea, and alopecia, a condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicles and leads to hair loss. When aldosterone secreting, patients may have low potassium and hypertension that is resistant to multiple medications.3
Researchers don’t know the exact cause. Some people develop adrenocortical carcinoma because they have inherited conditions that increase the risk that they’ll develop the condition In other cases, certain genetic mutations (changes) appear to increase risk. For example, research shows changes in the tumor suppressor genes TP53 and IGF2 appear to drive adrenocortical carcinoma. Tumor suppressor genes manage cell growth. When these genes change, your cells may multiply uncontrollably and become cancerous tumors.4
