Adrenal Gland Cancer
Educational information. Individual clinical review of this presentation by Dr. Ehsan is not yet documented. It does not replace personal medical evaluation.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Read the original source
MedlinePlus data edition September 26, 2026. Imported September 27, 2026. These dates do not indicate a new clinical review of the article.
Your adrenal, or suprarenal, glands are located on the top of each kidney. These glands produce hormones that you can't live without, including sex hormones and cortisol, which helps you respond to stress and has many other functions.
A number of disorders can affect the adrenal glands, including tumors. Tumors can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren't cancer. Malignant ones are. Most adrenal gland tumors are benign. They usually do not cause symptoms and may not require treatment. Malignant adrenal gland cancers are uncommon.
Types of tumors include:
- Adrenocortical carcinoma - cancer in the outer part of the gland
- Neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer
- Pheochromocytoma - a rare tumor that is usually benign
Symptoms depend on the type of cancer you have. Treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
Symptoms, tests and care options
Further reading selected by MedlinePlus. Links open the original organizations’ websites.
- Abdominal and Pelvic CT · Radiological Society of North America
- Adrenal Gland Removal (Adrenalectomy) · Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
- Adrenocortical Carcinoma Stages · National Cancer Institute
- Adrenocortical Carcinoma Treatment · National Cancer Institute
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) · National Library of Medicine
- Questions to Ask about Adrenal Cancer · American Cancer Society
- Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Cancers · American Cancer Society
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