Adrenal Cancer

Adrenal Cancer is a very rare type of cancer that occurs in approximately 200 people per year in the United States. The average age of a person who develops Adrenal Cancer is 46 years old.

Adrenal Cancer begins in the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are two small triangular shaped glands that sit on the top of the kidneys. They are responsible for producing essential steroid hormones that affect every organ in the body, including cortisol, aldosterone and adrenal androgen.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms that you may experience if you have Adrenal Cancer include:

• Weight gain, usually the most obvious in the face (moon face) and around the abdomen

• Muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass

• Pink or purple stretch marks on the skin

• Hormonal changes in men that might cause enlarged breast tissue (gynecomastia) and/or shrinkage of the testicles (hypogonadism)

• Hormonal changes in women that might cause irregular periods and excess facial or body hair

• Nausea & vomiting

• Muscle cramps

• Abdominal bloating

• High blood pressure

• Back pain

• Easy bruising

• Fatigue and depression or moodiness

• Loss of appetite and loss of weight

Treatment

Adrenal cancer treatment usually includes one or more of the following procedures and treatments:

• Surgery - Adrenalectomy

• Radiotherapy

• Chemotherapy

• Medication