

If you have symptoms or if you have a disease that puts you at risk for adrenal cancer, your doctor may order tests to check for a tumor. These may make extra cortisol, leading to a condition called Cushing’s syndrome. Malignant paraganglioma grows inside or outside your adrenal gland.Neuroblastoma also begins in the medulla, usually in children.Malignant adrenal pheochromocytoma starts in the middle or medulla.Most of these tumors are functioning, which means they make hormones. Adrenocortical carcinoma begins in the outer layer, or cortex, of your adrenal gland.Their names are based on where they start. But they may be more common if you have one of these diseases that’s tied to your genes:Īdrenal tumors that are cancerous are called malignant. It's not clear why some people get these tumors. Fine hair on your face, upper back, or arms.Too much of the hormone cortisol can cause: Uneven periods or a deeper voice in women.Periods or breast growth at an early age in girls.A larger penis in young boys or clitoris in girls.

Symptoms caused by extra androgens include:

And don't hesitate to reach out to the people you love. Talk with your doctor about your treatment options. But your doctor can choose from many treatments to push back against this cancer. The disease can also start with a tumor that grows in the middle part, called the medulla.Ī tumor may be large by the time you notice symptoms. Many adrenal tumors make hormones of their own.Ī tumor might begin in the outer layer of your adrenal glands, which your doctor may call the cortex. They affect things like hair growth, blood pressure, sex drive, and even how you handle stress. Your adrenal glands make hormones, chemicals that help control how your body works. You have two of them, one on top of each kidney. Adrenal cancer starts in small glands called adrenal glands. These can start in hormone-producing glands all over your body. Adrenal cancer is part of a group of tumors called neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).
