Adrenal cancer is a rare form of cancer. It is a cancer that develops in the adrenal glands. Most cancers found in the adrenal gland are not adrenal cancer. These cancerous cells start in other organs or tissues such as the lungs or breast get metastasize through the blood stream to the adrenal glands. These cancers are after the place they started and are not considered adrenal cancer.
Adrenal Cancer originates in the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are two small glands that are situated above the kidney. These glands are made up of two parts – the cortex and the medulla. The cortex is the outer layer of the gland. It produces hormones such as cortisol that helps the body manage stress and aldosterone that helps the body regulate blood pressure. The medulla is the inner part of the gland. It is part of your nervous system. It produces adrenaline producing hormones such as norepinephrine and epinephrine, which increase the heart beat in frightening situations.
There are two types of tumors found in the adrenal cortex – benign or non- cancerous tumors and malignant or cancerous tumors.
Benign Tumors
The benign tumors are known as adenomas. This type of tumor is majority of the tumors that forms in the adrenal cortex. Adenomas are small less than 2 inches and are typically located in a single gland. Rarely do Adenomas affect both glands. They do not spread outside the adrenal gland.
Malignant Tumors
The malignant or cancerous tumors that form in the adrenal cortex are known as Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma or Adrenal Cancer.
The Adrenal Glands are the center of hormone production. Many of the symptoms displayed go uncovered until a much later date as the symptoms displayed are often mistaken for hormone imbalances. Most tumors are only discovered accidentally when conducting exploratory searches for other diseases or problems.
These are few Adrenal Cancer Symptoms that you might see:
Adrenal Cancer originates in the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are two small glands that are situated above the kidney. These glands are made up of two parts – the cortex and the medulla. The cortex is the outer layer of the gland. It produces hormones such as cortisol that helps the body manage stress and aldosterone that helps the body regulate blood pressure. The medulla is the inner part of the gland. It is part of your nervous system. It produces adrenaline producing hormones such as norepinephrine and epinephrine, which increase the heart beat in frightening situations.
There are two types of tumors found in the adrenal cortex – benign or non- cancerous tumors and malignant or cancerous tumors.
Benign Tumors
The benign tumors are known as adenomas. This type of tumor is majority of the tumors that forms in the adrenal cortex. Adenomas are small less than 2 inches and are typically located in a single gland. Rarely do Adenomas affect both glands. They do not spread outside the adrenal gland.
Malignant Tumors
The malignant or cancerous tumors that form in the adrenal cortex are known as Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma or Adrenal Cancer.
The Adrenal Glands are the center of hormone production. Many of the symptoms displayed go uncovered until a much later date as the symptoms displayed are often mistaken for hormone imbalances. Most tumors are only discovered accidentally when conducting exploratory searches for other diseases or problems.
These are few Adrenal Cancer Symptoms that you might see:
- A fever
- A noticeable lump in the abdomen
- An unexplained weight loss
- Feeling of fullness, which is caused by the tumor pressing against the stomach
- Persistent pain, which is caused by the tumor pressing on organs