Pregnancy SmartSite^TM

• Home
• Email
• Site Map
• Contact

• Normal Pregnancy
• Labor & Delivery
• Complications
• After Your Child Is Born

Normal Pregnancy

Staying Healthy

Alcohol and pregnancy Managing your weight gain in pregnancy Steps to take before you get pregnant When you need to gain more weight during pregnancy

What to expect during pregnancy

Aches and pains during pregnancy Choosing the right practitioner Common symptoms during pregnancy Hyperemesis Gravidarum Morning sickness Pregnancy and travel Pregnancy and work Problems sleeping during pregnancy Skin and hair changes during pregnancy Teenage pregnancy

Preparing to go home with your baby

Cribs and crib safety Eat right during pregnancy Preparing your other children

Visits and Tests

Amniocentesis Chorionic villus sampling Genetic counseling before pregnancy Glucose tolerance test-pregnancy Monitoring your baby before labor Nuchal translucency Prenatal care in your first trimester Prenatal care in your second trimester Prenatal care in your third trimester

Adrenocortical carcinoma

Definition

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a cancer of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are two triangle-shaped glands. One gland is located on top of each kidney.

Causes

ACC is most common in children younger than 5 years old and adults in their 40s and 50s.

The condition may be linked to a cancer syndrome that is passed down through families (inherited). Both men and women can develop this tumor.

ACC can produce the hormones cortisol, aldosterone, estrogen, or testosterone, as well as other hormones. In women the tumor often releases these hormones, which can lead to male characteristics.

ACC is very rare. The cause is unknown.

Symptoms

Symptoms of increased cortisol or other adrenal gland hormones may include:

• Fatty, rounded hump high on the back just below the neck (buffalo hump)

• Flushed, rounded face with pudgy cheeks (moon face)

• Obesity

• Stunted growth (short stature)

• Virilization -- the appearance of male characteristics, including increased body hair (especially on the face), pubic hair, acne, deepening of the voice, and enlarged clitoris (females)

Symptoms of increased aldosterone are the same as symptoms of low potassium, and include:

• Muscle cramps

• Weakness

• Pain in the abdomen

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms.

Blood tests will be done to check hormone levels:

• ACTH level will be low.

• Aldosterone level will be high.

• Cortisol level will be high.

• Potassium level will be low.

• Male or female hormones may be abnormally high.

Imaging tests of the abdomen may include:

• Ultrasound

• CT scan

• MRI

• PET scan

Treatment

The primary treatment is surgery to remove the tumor. ACC may not improve with chemotherapy. Medicines may be given to reduce production of cortisol, which causes many of the symptoms.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome depends on how early the diagnosis is made and whether the tumor has spread (metastasized). Tumors that have spread usually lead to death within 1 to 3 years.

Possible Complications

The tumor can spread to the liver, bone, lung, or other areas.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you or your child has symptoms of ACC, Cushing syndrome, or failure to grow.

References

Habra M, Else T, Fassnacht M. Adrenocortical carcinoma. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 98.

National Cancer Institute website. Adrenocortical carcinoma treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/adrenocortical/hp/adrenocortical-treatment-pdq. Updated August 25, 2022. Accessed August 27, 2024.

Yeh MW, Livhits M, Duh Q-Y. The adrenal glands. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, et al, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 40.

Review Date: 8/21/2024

Reviewed By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.