Adrenal tumors can be malignant (cancer) or benign (not cancerous). Even benign adrenal tumors can be dangerous or cause uncomfortable symptoms.
The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system, which releases hormones into the blood system. Hormones are important in many body processes, including metabolism, sexual development and puberty, and stress.
There are two adrenal glands, one on the top of each kidney. They are shaped like triangles, and each is about ? inch high and 3 inches long.
Each gland has two parts. The medulla is the inner part of the adrenal gland. It makes hormones called catecholamines, which include adrenaline and noradrenaline. These ¡°stress hormones¡± increase alertness, strength and speed in an emergency. They also affect heart rate, blood pressure and sweating.
The outer part of the adrenal gland is called the cortex. It makes hormones that impact blood pressure, metabolism and how the body uses fats, carbohydrates and proteins.
Malignant Adrenal Tumors
Adrenocortical cancer: These tumors originate in the cortex of the adrenal gland. Adrenocortical cancer is rare, affecting only about 300 to 500 people each year in the United States. There are two main types of adrenocortical cancer:
- Functioning tumors are the most common type and account for about 70% of adrenal cancers. These tumors make hormones, such as cortisol, androgens or aldosterone.
- Non-functioning tumors do not produce hormones.
Malignant adrenal pheochromocytoma: This cancer begins in the medulla. It is extremely rare, with only about 800 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States.
Malignant paragangliomas: These tumors may begin inside or outside the adrenal gland.
Benign Adrenal Tumors
Adenomas: A type of non-cancerous tumor.
Benign pheochromocytomas
Benign paragangliomas
Cushing¡¯s Syndrome: In patients with Cushing's syndrome, the adrenal gland produces an excess of cortisol, a hormone that plays a part in regulating blood pressure, heart function and the body¡¯s reaction to stress. Cushing¡¯s syndrome is rare. About two to four new cases per 1 million people are diagnosed in this country each year.
Overproduction of cortisol may be caused by:
- A benign tumor on the adrenal gland called an adenoma
- An abnormality of the pituitary gland, usually a tumor (also called Cushing¡¯s disease)
- Long-term use of corticosteroid medications (such as prednisone)
- Benign or malignant tumors in other areas of the body that produce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (ectopic ACTH syndrome)
Hyperaldosteronism: This condition is caused by a small tumor in the adrenal gland that makes too much aldosterone or an enlargement (hyperplasia) of the adrenal glands. A high level of aldosterone plays a part in the body¡¯s salt and potassium balance, and may cause high blood pressure. In fact, it is believed that 10% of people with high blood pressure have hyperaldosteronism.
Adrenal Tumor Risk Factors
Certain inherited disorders can increase your risk of having an adrenal disease. These include:
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
- Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL)
- Neurofibromatosis type 1, also known as von Recklinghausen¡¯s disease
- Paraganglioma syndrome, a condition where tumors form in structures called paraganglia
- Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, a type of overgrowth syndrome
Not everyone with these syndromes develops an adrenal tumor. However, if you or anyone in your family has one of these syndromes, your doctor may recommend genetic testing. We offer the most advanced genetic testing to let you know your risk of developing adrenal gland tumors.
Learn more about adrenal tumors:
Learn more about clinical trials for adrenal tumors.
5-time adrenal gland tumor survivor beats weight gain
Charlotte Strecker has overcome adrenal carcinoma five times. She¡¯s had several surgeries, taken oral chemotherapy and steroids for years and gained 100 pounds while on steroids.
¡°It was not an easy journey, but it was actually a blessing in disguise,¡± she says.
An adrenal gland tumor diagnosis
Charlotte was 27 years old and in her last year of pharmacy school when she began experiencing high blood pressure, nausea and pain that radiated to the right side of her back. After an ultrasound, she was diagnosed with stage III adrenal carcinoma. She had surgery to remove the adrenal gland tumor, but experienced a second recurrence 18 months later.?
¡°It was a complete shock,¡± Charlotte says. ¡°My physician in New Orleans didn¡¯t know how to treat the cancer at that point, and he referred me to MD Anderson.¡±?
Adrenal gland tumor treatment at MD Anderson
Charlotte has been treated by , since she first came to MD Anderson.
?¡°I knew that I was in the best place possible to get the care I needed,¡± Charlotte says. ¡°It was actually very reassuring, which gave me a sense of peace that I needed to battle the cancer.¡±?
Under Dr. Lee¡¯s care, Charlotte underwent a second surgery to remove the adrenal gland tumor. Three months later, a CT scan revealed the cancer was back for the third time. She began chemotherapy and steroid treatment.?
About two years later, she had her fourth recurrence. Nearly two years after that, she had her fifth recurrence. At that point, Charlotte¡¯s only option was to undergo a third surgery in hopes of removing the cancer for good.?
Unwanted weight gain
Charlotte experienced something else that she wishes she hadn¡¯t. She gained nearly 100 pounds. She put on about 60 pounds a year after she began the oral chemotherapy and steroids, and another 40 pounds the next year.
¡°Dr. Lee asked that I try to lose weight. He said I was going to die from the weight gain before I would die from cancer,¡± Charlotte says. ¡°I began to cry in his office, and for the first time in a long time, I truly began to look at myself in the mirror.¡±
Charlotte says the steroids played a role in the weight gain, but so did her depression.
¡°I was emotionally drained and exhausted from the recurrences,¡± she says. ¡°I felt like there was no end in sight.¡±
After her third surgery, Charlotte stopped taking the oral chemotherapy and cut back on the steroids. The weight began to fall off, and Charlotte started to regain her confidence.
A dose of good news
After getting bad news five times in six years, Charlotte has received good news for the past 11 years. Her yearly CT scans and/or MRIs have showed no sign of recurrence.
Charlotte says Dr. Lee gives her a hug every time she sees him. Her father told her about a conversation he had with Dr. Lee before her final surgery.
¡°My dad told Dr. Lee that he looked tired when he came out of the surgery,¡± she says. ¡°Dr. Lee said he was up the night before praying for me. His character and belief in a high power are remarkable. I would not have wanted anyone else to be my physician.¡±
Charlotte says facing cancer has made her more eager to do things that she wouldn¡¯t have considered doing otherwise.
¡°I¡¯ve learned to never take for granted how much we need our bodies to be healthy,¡± she says. ¡°I try to take every new experience in as if it is the only time I will be able to experience it. One of my goals is do medical missionary work intermittently in other countries.¡±
Charlotte hopes her experience will help cancer patients she interacts with in her career as a pharmacist.
¡°When I meet newly diagnosed cancer patients at the pharmacy, I always mention that I know exactly what they are going through,¡± she says. ¡°I hope this makes them feel better and more empowered to beat cancer.¡±?
Why choose MD Anderson for your adrenal tumor treatment?
MD Anderson¡¯s Endocrine Center has one of the nation¡¯s few programs dedicated to providing personalized care for benign and malignant adrenal tumors, a group of complex and diverse disorders.
Our renowned experts diagnose and treat hundreds of patients with adrenal tumors each year, giving us a remarkable level of experience and expertise that translates into exemplary adrenal tumor treatment. Your personal team of specialists, which may include endocrinologists, surgeons, nuclear medicine physicians, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, meets regularly and communicates closely. They work together ¨C and with you ¨C to be sure you receive the best care.
Advanced Adrenal Tumor Diagnosis and Research
Accurate diagnosis of adrenal tumors is often challenging, and it requires a high degree of skill and experience. MD Anderson¡¯s laboratories provide a range of specialized approaches, including radiographic scanning, adreno-venous sampling and biochemical testing, to diagnose and determine the extent of disease. And, since many adrenal tumors are inherited, we offer comprehensive genetic testing and counseling.
Your adrenal tumor treatment includes the most advanced methods with the least impact on the body, including targeted therapies and nuclear medicine approaches. If surgery is necessary, our surgeons are often able to perform less-invasive procedures.
Because some adrenal tumors are rare, clinical trials can be difficult to find. As one of the nation¡¯s premier programs, we offer research studies of innovative treatments that may be your best option for certain adrenal gland tumors, such as adrenal cancer, malignant pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas.
