Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Cancer
Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MDMedically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD
Adrenal cancer occurs when a malignant (cancerous) tumor develops on one of the adrenal glands, which sit above each kidney. The adrenal glands secrete (release) various hormones related to blood pressure, blood sugar, stress response, and sex.
Most tumors in the adrenal glands are benign (noncancerous) and don't often cause symptoms. However, if your tumor becomes malignant and secretes hormones, symptoms may include weight gain, bruising, and muscle weakness.
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Symptoms of Non-Hormone Secreting Adrenal Tumors
Most adrenal tumors do not secrete hormones and do not cause symptoms. In many cases, you may not even know you have an adrenal tumor until an imaging scan—such as a computed tomography (CT) scan—for another health condition uncovers the tumors. However, if your adrenal tumor becomes cancerous, symptoms can occur. These common symptoms are likely to happen if your tumor does not secrete hormones:
Abdominal pain
Mass or lump in the abdomen
Decreased appetite
Symptoms of Hormone Secreting Adrenal Tumors
Adrenal tumors can also secrete hormones, resulting in a range of symptoms throughout your body. The outer tissue of the adrenal glands, known as the adrenal cortex, has three layers that secrete three different hormones: cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones. The inner tissue, known as the adrenal medulla, secretes epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), hormones involved in nerve signaling and the stress response.
However, your exact symptoms of adrenal cancer will depend on the type of hormone that your tumor is secreting.
Cortisol-Secreting Tumors
Cortisol (a type of stress hormone) plays an important role in your metabolism, blood pressure, and immune system functioning. This hormone is made in the middle layer of the adrenal cortex. If your adrenal tumor is releasing too much cortisol, you may develop Cushing's syndrome which causes symptoms like:
Weight gain in the abdomen, the base of the neck, and between the shoulders
Thinning of the arms and legs
Purple stretch marks
High blood pressure
Increased blood sugar
Bone fractures
Higher risk of infections
Aldosterone-Secreting Tumors
Aldosterone is a hormone made in the outer layer of the adrenal cortex, which plays an important role in salt and fluid balance in the body and your blood pressure. Adrenal tumors can secrete extra aldosterone, a condition known as Conn's syndrome. While these tumors are often noncancerous, they may cause the following symptoms:
High blood pressure that's difficult to control with medications
Weakness
Numbness
Hypokalemia (low levels of potassium in the blood)
Sex Hormone-Secreting Tumors
The inner layer of the adrenal cortex secretes the sex hormones androgen and estrogen. Adrenal tumors that secrete sex hormones are uncommon, but when they occur, they are more likely to be malignant.
Estrogen-secreting tumors can cause:
Gynecomastia (breast tissue growth)
Breast tenderness
Decreased libido (sex drive)
Abnormal menstrual bleeding
Smaller testicle size
Androgen-secreting tumors can cause:
Facial hair growth, particularly on the chin and around the mouth
Deepening of the voice
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Enlargement of the clitoris
Decreased breast size
High levels of testosterone
Adrenal Carcinoma
Adrenal carcinoma is a rare, malignant tumor of the adrenal gland. In the majority of cases, adrenal carcinoma secretes different hormones, causing symptoms similar to those of Cushing's syndrome, Conn's syndrome, and estrogen or androgen-secreting hormones. However, adrenal carcinoma can also cause additional symptoms such as:
Weight loss
Decreased appetite
Abdominal or flank pain
Enlargement of veins in the scrotum
Fever
Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of the inner layer (medulla) of the adrenal gland. This tumor secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine. As a result, you may develop symptoms like:
Facial flushing
Headaches
Sweating
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Schedule a visit with your healthcare provider if you develop any symptoms of adrenal cancer. Be sure to let them know of any family history of cancer or adrenal problems. Even if your symptoms aren't due to an adrenal tumor, it's better to get checked out sooner rather than later.
Serious symptoms such as high blood pressure that occurs with heart palpitations, chest pain, or extreme headaches require immediate emergency evaluation from a healthcare provider.
Questions To Ask Your Provider
Getting tested for cancer can be a scary experience. However, coming into your appointment prepared with questions can sometimes help ease your worries. Consider asking your healthcare provider the following questions during your visit:
How do I know if my weight gain is due to high stress or an adrenal tumor?
Could my facial hair growth or acne be a result of another condition, like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?
Which tests are available to check if I have adrenal cancer?
If I receive a diagnosis of adrenal cancer, what treatments can help improve my condition?
A Quick Review
Tumors in the adrenal gland can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous). Some adrenal tumors don't secrete hormones and cause symptoms like weight loss and decreased appetite. However, other adrenal tumors can release a variety of hormones, such as cortisol, estrogen, or androgens. If your specific tumor does secrete hormones, your symptoms will vary depending on the type of hormone your body is releasing.
If you're noticing changes in your body or are experiencing symptoms of adrenal cancer, seeing a healthcare provider is a good first step. They can conduct appropriate testing, make a diagnosis, and get you started on treatment if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the common age for adrenal cancer?
The most common age of developing adrenal cancer is in your 40s or 50s.
How long can a person live with adrenal gland cancer?
The prognosis of adrenal gland cancer depends on the type of tumor you have. Many adrenal tumors are benign growths that may or may not cause symptoms or problems.
Malignant tumors, such as adrenal carcinoma, carry a more worrisome prognosis, which depends on how early the tumor was identified. For aggressive cancers like adrenal carcinoma, the five-year survival rate is about 35-46%.
Is adrenal cancer curable?
When diagnosed early before the tumor spreads beyond the adrenal gland, a surgeon can remove the tumor completely and cure your symptoms. Treatment with chemotherapy after surgery, known as adjuvant chemotherapy, can prevent the tumor from coming back. This is the best chance for long-term survival in adrenal cancer.
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