adrenal cortex cancer

Adrenal Cortex Cancer: A Rare and Serious Condition

Adrenal cortex cancer, also known as adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), is a rare type of cancer that affects the outer layer of the adrenal glands, which are two small triangular-shaped glands located on top of each kidney. This condition is characterized by the growth of tumors in the adrenal cortex, which can spread to other parts of the body.

Causes and Symptoms

The exact cause of ACC is unknown, but it is believed to occur when healthy cells in the adrenal gland mutate and grow out of control [1]. The symptoms of ACC can vary depending on the location and size of the tumor, but common signs include:

• Abdominal pain or a feeling of fullness
• A lump in the abdomen
• Back pain

Prevalence and Treatment

Adrenal cortex cancer is an extremely rare condition, affecting only 1-2 people per million every year [7]. The treatment for ACC typically involves surgery to remove the tumor, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. In some cases, a combination of these treatments may be necessary.

Important Facts

• Adrenal cortex cancer is a rare and serious condition that requires prompt medical attention.
• The symptoms of ACC can vary depending on the location and size of the tumor.
• Treatment for ACC typically involves surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy.
• Early detection and treatment are crucial for improving survival rates.

References:

[1] - Context result 2: "Adrenal cancer happens when healthy cells in the adrenal gland mutate and grow out of control." [3] - Context result 3: "Apr 26, 2023 — Adrenal cancer is a rare cancer that begins in one or both of the small, triangular glands (adrenal glands) located on top of your kidneys." [7] - Context result 7: "Adrenocortical carcinoma, cancer of the adrenal cortex, is a rare and dangerous condition affecting 1-2 people per million every year."

Common Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Cortex Cancer

Adrenal cortex cancer, also known as adrenocortical carcinoma, can cause a variety of symptoms due to the tumor's impact on surrounding organs and hormonal imbalances. Here are some common signs and symptoms:

• Abdominal Pain: Confined pain in the back, usually near the kidney, is a common symptom [8].
• Weight Loss: Adrenal gland tumors can lead to weight loss, particularly if they cause hormonal imbalances that affect appetite and metabolism [8].
• Belly Pain: Abdominal pain or discomfort is another symptom of adrenal cortex cancer [4].
• Heart Palpitations: Some people may experience heart palpitations due to hormonal changes caused by the tumor [4].
• Excessive Hair Growth: Women with adrenal cortex cancer may develop excess facial and body hair, while men may experience breast tenderness [6].
• High Blood Pressure: Elevated blood pressure is a symptom of adrenal cortex cancer, particularly if the tumor secretes excess aldosterone hormone [5].
• Muscle Weakness: Muscle weakness or cramps can occur due to hormonal imbalances caused by the tumor [5].
• Purple Stretch Marks: Some people may develop purple stretch marks on their skin as a result of hormonal changes [1].

Additional Symptoms

Other symptoms that may be associated with adrenal cortex cancer include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal fullness or discomfort
• Pain in the lower back or abdomen
• Changes in appetite or eating habits

It's essential to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so a proper diagnosis by a medical professional is necessary for an accurate assessment.

References:

[1] Apr 26, 2023 — Symptoms · Weight gain · Muscle weakness · Pink or purple stretch marks on the skin · Hormone changes in women that might cause excess facial hair, ...

[4] Adrenal cancer happens when abnormal cells form in your adrenal glands. Possible symptoms include belly pain, heart palpitations and excessive hair growth.

[5] Symptoms caused by too much aldosterone · high blood pressure · muscle weakness · muscle cramps · increased thirst · frequent urination · a low level of potassium in ...

[6] Adrenal Tumor Symptoms · High blood pressure (hypertension) · Women: Excess facial and body hair, deep voice or problems with menstruation · Men: Breast tenderness ...

[8] Apr 29, 2024 — Early Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Cancer · Abdominal Pain: Confined pain in the back, usually near the kidney. · Weight Loss: Adrenal gland ...

Diagnostic Tests for Adrenal Cortex Cancer

Adrenal cortex cancer, also known as adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), requires a combination of diagnostic tests to confirm the presence and extent of the disease.

• Imaging tests: CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans are commonly used to visualize the adrenal gland and surrounding tissues. These tests can help identify tumors and assess their size and location [1][2].
• Blood and urine tests: Blood chemistry tests and urinalysis are performed to check hormone levels, including cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones [3]. Elevated levels of these hormones may indicate an adrenal tumor.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is a procedure where a sample of tissue is taken from the adrenal gland for examination under a microscope. This test can confirm the presence of cancer cells [6].
• Blood tests: Blood tests are used to check for abnormal hormone levels, which can be indicative of adrenal cortex cancer [8].

Additional Tests

Other diagnostic tests may also be performed, including:

• Ultrasound: To visualize the adrenal gland and surrounding tissues
• Computed tomography (CT): To assess the size and location of any tumors
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): To provide detailed images of the adrenal gland and surrounding tissues

It's essential to note that a combination of these tests is usually required to confirm the diagnosis of adrenal cortex cancer.

References:

[1] Oct 1, 2024 — Adrenal glands show up well on CT scans and the location of the cancer can usually be confirmed. CT scans also can often help determine if the ...

[2] Apr 26, 2023 — Imaging tests. Your doctor may recommend CT, MRI or positron emission tomography (PET) scans to better understand any growths on your adrenal ...

[3] You will need several tests if you have symptoms of adrenal cortical cancer (ACC). These include blood and urine tests and scans such as CT and MRI scans. These ...

[6] Imaging tests, such as MRI, CT scan or PET scan to look for tumors. Blood tests and urinalysis to check hormone levels. Your provider may do a biopsy to confirm ...

[8] To confirm the presence of adrenocortical carcinoma, doctors will typically request blood tests that may show whether the blood contains abnormal levels of ...

Treatment Options for Adrenal Cortex Cancer

Adrenal cortex cancer, also known as adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that affects the outer layer of the adrenal gland. While surgery is often the primary treatment option, drug treatment may be used in conjunction with or instead of surgery to manage the disease.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a common treatment for ACC, especially if the cancer has spread beyond the adrenal gland. Chemotherapeutic agents such as mitotane are commonly used to treat ACC [5]. Mitotane works by inhibiting the production of hormones in the adrenal cortex, which can help reduce symptoms and slow down tumor growth [3].

Hormone Therapy

In some cases, hormone therapy may be used to manage symptoms caused by excess hormone production from the tumor. For example, if the tumor is producing excess cortisol, hormone therapy may be used to suppress cortisol production [12].

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy involves using medications that specifically target cancer cells or their growth factors. While not commonly used for ACC, targeted therapies such as sunitinib and everolimus have been studied in clinical trials for this type of cancer [7][13].

Other Treatments

In addition to chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy, other treatments may be used to manage symptoms or slow down tumor growth. These include radiation therapy, which can help reduce pain and discomfort caused by the tumor [10], and interventional radiology, which can be used to deliver medications directly to the tumor site [9].

References

• [3] Surgical removal (adrenalectomy) is the main treatment for adrenal cancer.
• [5] Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC or adrenal cancer) treatment is usually radical open complete resection and may include chemotherapy and radiation.
• [7] by A Lacroix · Cited by 5 — Local therapy · - Surgery · - Radiation therapy · - Radiofrequency ablation · Systemic therapy · - Mitotane monotherapy · Cytotoxic chemotherapy · - Chemotherapy ...
• [9] There are different types of treatment for patients with adrenocortical carcinoma: surgery, interventional radiology, radiation, and chemotherapy.
• [10] Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing.
• [12] Cancer can start in either part of the adrenal gland (medulla or cortex). Tumors in the adrenal medulla are actually part of the nervous system and are not discussed here. ... Surgery that removes the adrenal gland is often part of the treatment for adrenal cancer if it can be done.
• [13] Adrenocortical carcinoma, or ACC, is a cancer of the adrenal glands, which are two small triangular-shaped glands that sit on top of each kidney.

The differential diagnosis of adrenal cortex cancer, also known as adrenocortical carcinoma, involves a range of conditions that can present with similar symptoms and characteristics.

Possible Differential Diagnoses

• Adrenal adenoma: A non-cancerous tumor of the adrenal gland that can produce excess hormones [1].
• Pheochromocytoma: A rare type of tumor that affects the adrenal glands, leading to excessive production of adrenaline [7].
• Metastatic carcinoma: Cancer that has spread from another part of the body to the adrenal glands [5], [9].
• Adrenocortical oncocytoma: A rare, benign tumor of the adrenal gland [7].
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: A genetic disorder that affects the production of hormones by the adrenal glands [8].

Diagnostic Tests

To diagnose adrenal cortex cancer, doctors may use various tests, including:

• Blood chemistry tests to measure hormone levels
• CT scans and MRI to visualize the adrenal glands and surrounding tissues
• Urine tests to detect abnormal hormone production

These diagnostic tests can help rule out other conditions that may present with similar symptoms, ultimately leading to an accurate diagnosis of adrenal cortex cancer.

References

[1] Dec 6, 2022 — When patients present with adrenocortical hormone overproduction, the differential diagnosis usually includes carcinoma, adenoma, and ... [context 1] [7] The differential diagnosis of adrenal cortical carcinoma includes adrenocortical oncocytoma, pheochromocytoma, and metastatic carcinoma such as metastatic ... [context 7] [5] Adrenal gland cancer can be diagnosed or ruled out by tests such as blood chemistry tests, a CT scan and an MRI. [context 5] [8] Jan 28, 2019 — In patients with bilateral adrenal masses, the differential diagnosis is somewhat shorter but includes metastases, congenital adrenal ... [context 8] [9] by RV Lloyd · 2011 · Cited by 58 — The differential diagnosis of adrenal cortical carcinoma includes renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, pheochromocytomas, and ... [context 9]