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Adrenal Gland Cancer
Summary
Your adrenal, or suprarenal, glands are located on the top of each kidney. These glands produce hormones that you can’t live without, including sex hormones and cortisol, which helps you respond to stress and has many other functions.
A number of disorders can affect the adrenal glands, including tumors. Tumors can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren’t cancer. Malignant ones are. Most adrenal gland tumors are benign. They usually do not cause symptoms and may not require treatment. Malignant adrenal gland cancers are uncommon.
Types of tumors include:
- Adrenocortical carcinoma – cancer in the outer part of the gland
- Neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer
- Pheochromocytoma – a rare tumor that is usually benign
Symptoms depend on the type of cancer you have. Treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
National Cancer Institute
Diagnosis and Tests
- Abdominal and Pelvic CT (Computed Tomography) Radiological Society of North America
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) National Library of Medicine
- Aldosterone Test National Library of Medicine
- Body MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Radiological Society of North America
- Cortisol Test National Library of Medicine
- DHEA Sulfate Test National Library of Medicine
- Stages of Adrenocortical Carcinoma National Cancer Institute
- Tests for Adrenal Cancer American Cancer Society
Encyclopedia
- Abdominal MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia
Patient Handouts
- Adrenal gland removal Medical Encyclopedia
- Adrenocortical carcinoma Medical Encyclopedia
- After chemotherapy – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
Treatments and Therapies
- Adrenal Gland Removal (Adrenalectomy) Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
- Questions to Ask about Adrenal Cancer American Cancer Society
- Treatment Option Overview (Adrenocortical Carcinoma) National Cancer Institute
Start Here
- Adrenal Gland Tumor American Society of Clinical Oncology
- General Information about Adrenocortical Carcinoma National Cancer Institute
- What Is Adrenal Cancer? American Cancer Society
Statistics and Research
- Adrenal Gland Tumors: Statistics American Society of Clinical Oncology
Find an Expert
- American Cancer Society American Cancer Society
- Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology
- Find an Endocrinologist Endocrine Society
- National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
- NCI Designated Cancer Centers National Cancer Institute
- Organizations that Offer Cancer Support Services National Cancer Institute
Genetics
- Carney Complex American Society of Clinical Oncology
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms National Institutes of Health
Living With
- Living as an Adrenal Cancer Survivor American Cancer Society