What to know about adrenal gland cancer

The exact cell of origin matters because these diagnoses behave differently and need different treatment. Imaging, hormone assessment and specialist pathology help the team assign the correct name.

Each adrenal gland sits above a kidney and contains an outer cortex and an inner medulla. The cortex makes steroid hormones, while the medulla makes other hormones involved in the body's stress response. Adrenal cortex cancer is also known as adrenocortical carcinoma.

Some tumours are found because excess hormones cause changes such as muscle weakness, easy bruising, blood-pressure problems or altered hair growth. Others cause pressure, abdominal discomfort or fullness as they enlarge. An adrenal lesion can also be discovered incidentally, and many incidental lesions are not cancer.

Keep a record of new physical changes, current medicines and any previous cancer diagnosis, then bring it to the specialist visit. Testing may include dedicated adrenal imaging and blood or urine measurements for hormone production. The team may also image other areas to determine the disease extent.

If the tumour can be removed, tumour-removal surgery may be proposed after hormone-related risks are controlled. For cancer that cannot be fully removed or has spread, care can involve cancer medicines such as chemotherapy, hormone-directed medicines, symptom relief or a combination. The plan should reflect the precise tumour type.

Arrange prompt medical advice for worsening abdominal or back pain, repeated vomiting, pronounced weakness, new ankle swelling or rapidly changing hormone-related symptoms. Obtain emergency care for collapse, confusion, severe chest pain, major breathing difficulty or a sudden severe headache with visual disturbance. These warning signs warrant assessment regardless of their cause.

Consider asking: Which part of the adrenal gland did this tumour start in? Is it producing hormones? Has pathology confirmed the tumour type? Could it have spread from another organ? Which specialists will discuss my case, and how will treatment affect hormone replacement or my regular medicines?