Living with Adrenal cortex carcinoma
A rare cancer of the outer layer of the adrenal glands, which can cause hormone-related symptoms.
Understanding Adrenal cortex carcinoma
The adrenal glands sit on top of each kidney. They make hormones and help keep blood pressure normal. Tumors can make too much of certain hormones, which causes many of the symptoms. GARD lists the onset as childhood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD's summary says they may include:
- Pain in the abdomen
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Weight gain
- Frequent urination
- Deepening of the voice
- Excess sweating
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists and hormone specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Primary Aldosteronism Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Cancer specialists (oncologists); Hormone specialists (endocrinologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Primary Aldosteronism Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Primary Aldosteronism Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says it may develop by chance, but at least 50% of cases are thought to be hereditary. Genes with changes that can cause it include TP53 and IGF2, and both autosomal dominant and recessive inheritance have been reported.
Also known as: acc; adenocarcinoma, adrenocortical, malignant; adrenal cortex adenocarcinoma; adrenal cortical adenocarcinoma; adrenal cortical carcinoma; adrenal cortical carcinoma (morphologic abnormality)
Patient organizations
- Primary Aldosteronism FoundationAdrenal cortex carcinoma · United States
- American Cancer SocietyAdrenal cortex carcinoma · United States
- Cancer Hope NetworkAdrenal cortex carcinoma · United States
- CancerCareAdrenal cortex carcinoma · United States
- International Neuroendocrine Cancer AllianceAdrenal cortex carcinoma · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Adrenal cortex carcinoma.
Explore research for Adrenal cortex carcinoma
Explore actively recruiting Adrenal cortex carcinoma studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Adrenal cortex carcinoma with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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