Adrenal carcinoma (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
* A [[Physical examination|physical exam]] may reveal: | |||
** [[High blood pressure]] | |||
** Changes in [[Human body|body]] [[Shape parameter|shape]], such as [[breast enlargement]] in [[men]] ([[gynecomastia]]) or [[male]] [[Characteristic function (probability theory)|characteristics]] in [[Womens Pack|women]] ([[virilization]]) | |||
* [[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 | |||
Abdominal x-ray | * [[Imaging studies|Imaging tests]] may include: | ||
CT scan of the abdomen | ** [[Abdominal x-ray]] | ||
MRI of the abdomen | ** [[CT scan]] of the [[abdomen]] | ||
** [[MRI]] of the [[abdomen]] | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Call your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms of adrenocortical carcinoma, Cushing syndrome, or failure to grow. | |||
* [[Call for help|Call]] your [[health care provider]] if you or your [[child]] has [[symptoms]] of [[adrenocortical carcinoma]], [[Cushing's syndrome|Cushing syndrome]], or [[failure]] to [[Growth|grow]]. | |||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
Primary treatment is surgery to remove the tumor. Adrenocortical carcinoma may not improve with chemotherapy. Medications may be given to reduce production of cortisol, which causes many of the symptoms. | |||
* Primary [[Treatments|treatment]] is [[surgery]] to remove the [[tumor]]. | |||
* [[Adrenocortical carcinoma]] may not improve with [[chemotherapy]]. | |||
* [[Medications]] may be given to reduce [[Product (biology)|production]] of [[cortisol]], which [[causes]] many of the [[symptoms]]. | |||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (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. | |||
* The [[outcome]] [[Dependent variable|depends]] on how early the [[diagnosis]] is made and whether the [[tumor]] has [[Spread of the cancer|spread]] ([[metastasized]]). | |||
* [[Tumors]] that have [[Spread of the cancer|spread]] usually [[lead]] to [[Death cap|death]] within 1 to 3 [[Year|years]]. | |||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
The tumor can spread to the liver, bone, lung, or other areas. | |||
* The [[tumor]] can [[Spread of the cancer|spread]] to the [[liver]], [[bone]], [[lung]], or other [[Area|areas]]. | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
Latest revision as of 19:42, 15 August 2019
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Adrenal carcinoma |
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Adrenal carcinoma On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sara Mohsin, M.D.[2] Aarti Narayan, M.B.B.S [3]
Overview
Adrenocortical carcinoma is a cancer of the adrenal glands.
What are the symptoms of Adrenal carcinoma?
- Symptoms that suggest increased cortisol or other adrenal gland hormone production:
- Fatty, rounded hump high on the back just below the neck (buffalo hump)
- Flushed rounded face with pudgy cheeks (moon face)
- Obesity
- Stunted growth in height (short stature)
- Virilization - the appearance of male characteristics, including increased body hair (especially on the face), pubic hair, acne, deepening of voice, and enlarged clitoris (girls)
- Symptoms that suggest increased aldosterone production are the same as symptoms of low potassium and include:
- Increased thirst
- Muscle cramps
- Urination
- Weakness
What causes Adrenal carcinoma?
- Adrenocortical carcinoma is most common in children younger than 5 and adults in their 30s and 40s.
- Adrenocortical carcinoma may be linked to a cancer syndrome that is passed down through families (inherited).
- Both men and women can develop this tumor.
- Adrenocortical carcinoma 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.
- The cause is unknown.
- About 2 people per million develop this type of tumor.
Diagnosis
- A physical exam may reveal:
- High blood pressure
- Changes in body shape, such as breast enlargement in men (gynecomastia) or male characteristics in women (virilization)
- 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
- Imaging tests may include:
- Abdominal x-ray
- CT scan of the abdomen
- MRI of the abdomen
When to seek urgent medical care?
- Call your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms of adrenocortical carcinoma, Cushing syndrome, or failure to grow.
Treatment options
- Primary treatment is surgery to remove the tumor.
- Adrenocortical carcinoma may not improve with chemotherapy.
- Medications may be given to reduce production of cortisol, which causes many of the symptoms.
What to expect (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.