This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science
This page was updated on July 19, 2022.
Adrenal cancer is a rare disease, affecting about 600 people in the United States annually, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology. However, adrenal tumors are found in about one in every 10 people who have an imaging test of the adrenal gland. The majority of adrenal gland tumors are noncancerous (benign tumors) and are called adenomas. Adrenal cancer is diagnosed when abnormal cells develop in or travel to the adrenal glands, the tiny glands above the kidneys. The disease is most often discovered as a tumor in the glands’ outer part, known as the adrenal cortex, which produces hormones, such as cortisol and aldosterone, and helps the body manage stress and regulate blood pressure.
At City of Hope, we treat adrenal cancer using a multi-faceted approach. A team of experts may perform a variety of imaging and laboratory tests, such as CT scans, MRI or ultrasound, to accurately diagnose and stage the disease. These same tests may be used to monitor the response to treatment and modify treatment plans accordingly.
As part of our whole-person care model, our hospitals and outpatient clinics integrate an array of supportive care therapies—nutrition therapy, pain management, oncology rehabilitation and individual and group counseling, for example—to help manage cancer’s physical and psychological side effects.
This overview will cover the basic facts about adrenal cancer, including:
If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of adrenal cancer and want to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing, or if you’re interested in a second opinion on your adrenal cancer diagnosis and treatment plan, call us or chat online with a member of our team.
Although genetic syndromes and hereditary traits have been linked to adrenal cancer, most adrenal cancers occur sporadically, and triggers for the disease remain largely unknown.
Some genetic syndromes that are considered risk factors for adrenal cancer include:
Conn’s and Cushing’s syndromes may result in adrenal gland tumors, though these tumors tend to be nonfunctioning adenomas.
Tumors can occur at any age. Adrenal cancer is most common in middle-aged adults, with 46 being the average age of diagnosis. One form of adrenal cancer, neuroblastoma, usually affects infants or children under 10.
"My care team was clear in explaining everything to me and answering my questions. I never felt they made promises to me, yet I had found hope. City of Hope gave me treatment options, and that’s what I wanted because I wasn’t ready to give up. "
The adrenals are small, triangular glands that sit on top of each kidney and function as part of the endocrine system. The three common types of adrenal cancer affect different parts of the adrenal glands:
Most adrenal gland tumors are discovered during scans for unrelated conditions. Sometimes, the only way to distinguish a functioning tumor from a more common benign tumor is to determine whether it has metastasized, with cancer cells spreading beyond the adrenal gland to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Tumors larger than 5 to 6 centimeters are usually diagnosed as cancerous.
Symptoms vary by the stage of the tumor, and warning signs are usually not obvious. General symptoms of adrenal cancer include:
In some cases, malignant tumors can produce hormones that lead to an additional set of symptoms called paraneoplastic syndromes. For patients with these syndromes, the immune system responds to the cancerous tumor by attacking healthy cells in the brain, spinal cord, nerves or muscles.
Blood and urine tests that look for irregular levels of adrenal hormones may detect adrenal cancer before symptoms develop. Other tests used for diagnosing adrenal cancer—depending on factors such as the tumor’s size and location—include:
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for adrenal cancer ranges from 37 percent for cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body to 74 percent for cancer that has not spread beyond the adrenal gland.
Multiple treatment options or treatment combinations may be used for this type of cancer, depending on the stage of the disease. Those treatment options include:
At City of Hope, we understand that managing the side effects of cancer and its treatment is often just as critical as treating the disease. Common side effects of adrenal cancer treatment include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, hair loss, pain and a decreased appetite. That’s why your care team includes supportive care therapists who are available to help you manage both the physical and psychological impacts of cancer treatment.
For example, an oncology-trained registered dietitian may be able to help you navigate your decreased appetite by developing a nutrition plan for you. If you’re experiencing pain, the pain management physician on your team may recommend interventional procedures like nerve blocks that numb the pain around the tumor, or pain pumps that release concentrated pain medication on the spine.
Our supportive approach to cancer care means we treat the disease with conventional tools while also supporting patients with evidence-informed therapies—all under one roof.
Supportive care therapies that may be recommended to help adrenal cancer patients stay strong and maintain their quality of life include:
