Adrenal Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Adrenal Cancer?
Adrenal cancer is usually cared for by an oncologist (a cancer doctor) and an endocrinologist (a hormone doctor), often with a surgeon. The adrenal glands sit above the kidneys and make hormones, so both kinds of expertise are needed. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is adrenal cancer?
Adrenal cancer is cancer that starts in an adrenal gland. You have two adrenal glands. One sits on top of each kidney. Each gland has an outer layer called the adrenal cortex and a center called the adrenal medulla. The kind that starts in the outer layer is called adrenocortical carcinoma. A tumor that starts in the center is called pheochromocytoma, and it is not covered here. The rest of this article is about adrenocortical carcinoma.
The adrenal cortex makes important hormones. They balance water and salt, help keep blood pressure normal, and help the body use protein, fat, and carbohydrates. A tumor of the cortex may make extra hormones. Most of these tumors do. Extra hormones cause many of the symptoms. Adrenocortical carcinoma is very rare. It is most common in children younger than 5 and adults in their 40s and 50s. Both men and women can get it. The cause is unknown.
Symptoms
Signs often come from too much hormone. They can include:
- Weight gain with a rounded face and a fatty hump on the upper back.
- Poor growth in children.
- Male traits in women, like more body hair, acne, and a deeper voice. Doctors call this virilization.
- Muscle cramps and weakness.
- Belly pain.
If the cancer spreads, it can go to the liver, bone, or lungs.
Causes and who gets it
The cause of adrenal cancer is unknown. Having certain inherited conditions raises the risk. These include Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, and Carney complex. These are genetic disorders passed down through families. Not everyone with these conditions gets adrenal cancer. Some people who get it have no known risk factors. It is most common in young children and in adults in their 40s and 50s.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors do a physical exam and ask about symptoms. Blood tests check hormone levels. In people with an adrenal tumor, some hormone levels may be too high. Potassium (a mineral in the blood) may be low. Male or female hormones may also be too high.
Imaging tests make pictures of the belly. They include ultrasound (sound wave pictures), CT scans (detailed x-rays), MRI (a scan that uses magnets), and PET (a scan that shows active cells).
Treatment
The primary treatment is surgery to remove the tumor. The operation is called an adrenalectomy (removal of an adrenal gland). Sometimes nearby lymph nodes (small immune filters) are removed too. Surgery is the only treatment that can lead to long-term freedom from the cancer.
A medicine called mitotane is also used for this cancer. It acts on adrenal gland cells. Doctors use it mainly when the tumor cannot be fully removed by surgery, and they may talk with you about using it after surgery too. It helps some people, but long use can cause stomach and nerve side effects. Mitotane can make the adrenal glands work poorly, so doctors may give steroid replacement medicine. Your doctor decides about any changes to these medicines. Radiation therapy (high-energy x-rays) may be used for tumors that cannot be removed by surgery. Chemotherapy (cancer drugs) is also used, but this cancer may not improve with chemotherapy. Medicines can be given to cut extra cortisol, a hormone that causes many of the symptoms. Researchers are also testing new treatments in clinical trials (research studies). The outlook depends on how early the cancer is found and whether it has spread.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have severe belly pain, faint, feel confused or very hard to wake up, or vomit blood. If you take mitotane, tell emergency staff right away, because after severe injury or shock your body may need extra hormone medicine. See a doctor right away if you gain weight with a rounded face or a hump on the upper back. New muscle weakness or cramps also needs prompt care. Children who stop growing should be checked. Finding the cancer early gives a better outlook.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. This doctor can check your blood pressure and hormone symptoms, order the first tests, and coordinate care with cancer and hormone specialists. They can also handle follow-up visits and long-term care.
Common questions
What is adrenocortical carcinoma?
It is cancer of the adrenal cortex, the outer layer of the adrenal gland. Doctors also call it adrenal cortex cancer. It is very rare.
Does adrenal cancer run in families?
It can in some cases. Having an inherited condition like Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, or Carney complex raises the risk. For most people the cause is unknown.
What is the main treatment for adrenal cancer?
Surgery to remove the tumor is the primary treatment. A medicine called mitotane, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy may also be used, mainly when the tumor cannot be fully removed by surgery.
Can extra hormones cause symptoms?
Yes. Most tumors of the adrenal cortex make extra hormones. Too much hormone can cause weight gain, a rounded face, and a hump on the upper back.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute - What Is Adrenocortical Carcinoma?
- National Cancer Institute - Adrenocortical Carcinoma Treatment (PDQ)
- MedlinePlus - Adrenocortical carcinoma
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration - LYSODREN (mitotane) prescribing information
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
