Your body has 2 adrenal glands. They are above your kidneys in the upper part of your abdomen. Each adrenal gland has an outer part, the cortex, and an inner part, the medulla.

Adrenocortical cancer is the presence of a malignant tumor on the cortex of an adrenal gland.

When a tumor forms on the adrenal cortex, it can be non-cancerous (an adenoma) or cancerous (a cortical carcinoma). Most are adenomas less than 2 inches in diameter.

Vanderbilt’s Neuroendocrine Tumor Initiative seeks to improve treatment for all patients with ACC. We specialize in diagnosing and treating adrenal tumors and tailoring treatment to each patient’s unique needs. We are one of a handful of U.S. medical centers doing retroperitoneal and anterior laparoscopic adrenalectomies for appropriate patients. These treatments can allow patients less pain after surgery, leading to healthy, active lives as soon as possible.

Most people with adenomas do not have symptoms.

Cortical carcinomas are usually much larger than adenomas. They often cause symptoms including:

• Weight gain.
• Fluid buildup.
• Early puberty in children.
• Excess facial hair or body hair in women.

A cortical carcinoma can get very large and put pressure on nearby organs. This pressure causes pain, a feeling of fullness and weight loss.

Treatment is usually surgical removal of the tumor. However, research is exploring other therapies including chemotherapy, the drug mitotane and radiation therapy