Adrenocortical CarcinomaSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Adrenocortical Carcinoma Overview
Learn About Adrenocortical Carcinoma
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.
Tumor - adrenal; ACC - adrenal
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 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
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.
University Of Colorado Hospital Authority
Margaret Wierman is an Endocrinologist in Aurora, Colorado. Dr. Wierman is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Her top areas of expertise are Adrenocortical Carcinoma, Pituitary Tumor, Adrenal Cancer, Hypothalamic Tumor, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
Mouhammed Habra is an Endocrinologist in Houston, Texas. Dr. Habra is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Adrenocortical Carcinoma. His top areas of expertise are Adrenocortical Carcinoma, Adrenal Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, Tissue Biopsy, and Thyroidectomy.
University Of Michigan Medical Center
Gary Hammer is an Endocrinologist in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Hammer is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Adrenocortical Carcinoma. His top areas of expertise are Adrenal Cancer, Adrenocortical Carcinoma, Neuroblastoma, and Hereditary Neuroblastoma.
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 tumor can spread to the liver, bone, lung, or other areas.
Contact your provider if you or your child has symptoms of ACC, Cushing syndrome, or failure to grow.
Summary: This phase II trial compares the effect of giving cabozantinib with or without cemiplimab in patients with adrenocortical cancer that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced), and that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable) or that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the b...
Summary: This FIH study is designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy signals of DS9051b in participants with ACC and mCRPC.
Published Date: August 21, 2024
Published 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.
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.