Adrenal Cancer

Adrenal cancer occurs when cells in your adrenal glands mutate (change) and grow, forming a tumor. You have two adrenal glands — one on top of each kidney. They make hormones that send signals to many different organs to help keep your body healthy.

You can get adrenal cancer in one or both adrenal glands.

Types of adrenal gland cancer

There are three main types of adrenal cancer. Each starts in a different area of your adrenal gland:

1. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). This is the most common type of adrenal cancer. It forms in the outer layer of your adrenal gland (the cortex). Your cortex makes steroid hormones that control elements like metabolism, blood pressure, body shape and hair growth. Another name for adrenocortical carcinoma is adrenal cortex cancer.
2. Neuroblastoma. Neuroblastomas form in nerve cells, so they can affect many different parts of your body. However, about one-third form in the inner part of your adrenal gland (the medulla). The medulla makes epinephrine and norepinephrine. These chemicals help control your sympathetic nervous system, which regulates things like sweating, heart rate and blood pressure. Adrenal neuroblastomas usually affect infants and children under the age of 10.
3. Pheochromocytoma. This adrenal gland cancer starts in the center of your medulla, usually in the cells that produce adrenaline. Adrenaline helps regulate your blood pressure and heart rate.

How common is adrenal gland cancer?

Adrenal gland cancer is rare, affecting about 200 people in the United States every year.