Adrenal Cancer: Symptoms, Stages, Treatment
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2009/04/01 - Updated: 2025/08/12
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Cancer and Tumors - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This article provides comprehensive medical information about adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare cancer affecting the outer layer of the adrenal glands positioned above the kidneys. The resource offers authoritative content by presenting clinical staging criteria, diagnostic procedures, and treatment options in clear, accessible language. The information proves particularly valuable to diverse populations, including seniors who face higher risk in their 40s and 50s, individuals with genetic predispositions, and people with disabilities who may benefit from understanding Social Security Administration compassionate allowance provisions for this condition. The article's systematic breakdown of stages (from localized tumors under 5 centimeters to metastatic disease) alongside practical symptom identification helps readers and caregivers recognize warning signs early, when surgical intervention offers the best outcomes compared to the poor prognosis of advanced, inoperable cases with survival rates below 10% - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Alternate names: Adrenal Carcinoma, Adrenocortical Carcinoma, Adrenocortical Cancer, Cancer of the Adrenal Cortex, Carcinoma of the Adrenal Cortex. Adrenal Cancer forms in the outer tissue layer of the adrenal gland. Adrenocortical Carcinoma is also called Cancer of the Adrenal Cortex.
The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) has included Adrenal Cancer as a Compassionate Allowance to expedite a disability claim.
Main Content
A tumor of the adrenal cortex may be functioning (producing excess hormones) or non-functioning (not producing hormones). Individuals with the hereditary diseases LiFraumeni Syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome, and Carney Complex are at risk for Adrenal Cancer.
Symptoms of Adrenocortical Carcinoma Include:
- A lump in the abdomen
- Pain the abdomen or back
- A feeling of fullness in the abdomen
The following may be used to diagnose the disease:
- X-rays
- MRI
- CT scan
- Laboratory tests including blood and urine analysis
Having certain genetic conditions increases the risk of adrenocortical carcinoma.
Stages of Adrenocortical Carcinoma
After diagnosing adrenocortical carcinoma, tests determine if cancer cells have spread within the adrenal gland or to other body parts. The following stages are used for adrenocortical carcinoma:
- Stage I - In stage I, the tumor is 5 centimeters or smaller and is found in the adrenal gland only.
- Stage II - In stage II, the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters and is only found in the adrenal gland.
- Stage III - In stage III, the tumor is any size and has spread to nearby lymph nodes; or nearby tissues or organs (kidney, diaphragm, pancreas, spleen, or liver) or large blood vessels (renal vein or vena cava) and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage IV - In stage IV, the tumor is any size, may have spread to nearby lymph nodes, and has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lung, bone, or peritoneum.
Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. Treatment for inoperable or unresectable tumors can be utilized for palliation, but the prognosis is poor.
Adrenocortical carcinoma can recur (come back) after it has been treated. The 5-year survival rate for inoperable or unresectable tumors is less than 10%.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: While adrenocortical carcinoma remains one of the rarer malignancies, affecting roughly 1-2 people per million annually, its inclusion in Social Security disability fast-track programs underscores the serious nature of this disease and the recognition that patients require immediate support systems. The stark contrast between early-stage surgical success and late-stage palliative care emphasizes why public health education about abdominal masses, unexplained pain, and hormonal symptoms deserves broader attention in primary care settings - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.