What Is Adrenal Cancer?
Adrenal cancer is part of a group of tumors called neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). These can start in hormone-producing glands all over your body. Adrenal cancer starts in small glands called adrenal glands. You have two of them, one on top of each kidney. Cancer can happen in one or both.
Your adrenal glands make hormones, chemicals that help control how your body works. They affect things like hair growth, blood pressure, sex drive, and even how you handle stress. Many adrenal tumors make hormones of their own.
A tumor might begin in the outer layer of your adrenal glands, which your doctor may call the cortex. The disease can also start with a tumor that grows in the middle part, called the medulla.
A tumor may be large by the time you notice symptoms. But your doctor can choose from many treatments to push back against this cancer.
Talk with your doctor about your treatment options. And don’t hesitate to reach out to the people you love. They’re key members of your team. Friends and family can play a huge role in giving you support while you manage your health.
Symptoms of Adrenal Cancer
If you have a small tumor, you might not notice any signs. As they grow, tumors can cause symptoms such as:
- Pain or a lump in your belly
- A feeling of pressure or fullness soon after you eat
A tumor can affect the levels of certain hormones in your body. Symptoms caused by extra androgens include:
- Extra face or body hair
- A larger penis in young boys or clitoris in girls
A tumor that makes estrogen may cause:
- Periods or breast growth at an early age in girls
- Uneven periods or a deeper voice in women
- Spotting in women past menopause
- Breast growth in males
- Impotence or loss of sex drive in men
Too much of the hormone cortisol can cause:
- Weight gain
- A puffy face
- Fine hair on your face, upper back, or arms
- Stretch marks
- Weaker bones and muscles
- Easy bruising
- Mood swings
- Depression
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
Signs of extra aldosterone include:
- Weakness
- Muscle cramps
- High blood pressure
- Low potassium levels
- Severe thirst
- Peeing more than usual
