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Adrenal Cancer

Definition

Adrenal cancer is a rare disease that originates in the adrenal glands (small glands that sit above each of the kidneys). There are two types of adrenal tumors: benign (not cancerous) tumors are called adenomas; and adrenal cortical carcinoma, which does cause cancer.

Diagnosis / Treatment

Adrenal Cancer is diagnosed and treated in the Multidisciplinary Adrenal Cancer Clinic. Research into the causes of this cancer, and how to best treat it, is pursued through the Endocrine Oncology Program.

 

Understanding Adrenal Cancer

In order to understand this cancer, it's important to learn about the adrenal gland, in general. The two adrenal glands are positioned above the kidneys and are responsible for making steroid hormones that enable the body respond to stress (aldosterone, cortisol and adrenaline). They also make a small amount of sex steroids (the major sex steroids testosterone and estrogen are made by the gonads).

Adrenal tumors often are characterized by the hormones that they secrete:

• Aldosterone tumor (Conn's Syndrome) = adrenal tumor making aldosterone: often presenting with new hypertension and low potassium . This syndrome is named after the former UMICH endocrinologist who discovered and characterized this syndrome.
  
• Cushing's Syndrome = adrenal tumor making excessive cortisol: often presenting with new hypertension, diabetes, central obesity.
  
• Virilizing adrenal tumor = adrenal tumor making excessive androgens (like testosterone) often presenting with new hirsuitism (hair growth), increased muscle mass, acne and amenorhea (loss of periods) in a female.
  
• Feminizing adrenal tumor = adrenal tumor making excessive estrogens often presenting with new gynecomastia (breast growth in a man) and impotence in a male.
  
• Pheochromocytoma = adrenal tumor making excessive adrenaline often presenting with new hypertension, headaches, sweating, palpitations and panic attacks.

Additionally adrenal tumors are classified by their growth characteristics:

Adrenal adenoma = adrenal tumor that is benign

Adrenal carcinoma = adrenal tumor that is malignant

Dr. Hammer participated in the discussion about Rare Cancers & Unusual Clinical Situations, with a special feature on Adrenal Cancers. The podcast of this talk is available in Vital Options International's Group Room archive. Scroll down the list of previously aired shows, you're looking for #602. Or, you can listen to it or download it now!

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