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Adrenocortical carcinoma - Overview

Alternative Names

Tumor - adrenal

Definition of Adrenocortical carcinoma:

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a cancer of the adrenal glands.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Adrenocortical carcinoma is most common in children younger than 5 and adults in their 30s and 40s.

Adrenocortical carcinoma may be linked to a cancer syndrome that is passed down through families (inherited). Both men and women can develop this tumor. In women the tumor often releases hormones. Adrenocortical carcinoma can produce the hormones cortisol or aldosterone.

The cause is unknown. About 2 people per million develop this type of tumor.

  • Reviewed last on: 3/13/2007
  • Mark Levin, M.D., Hematologist and Oncologist, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Abeloff M, Armitage J, Niederhuber J, Kastan M, McKenna WG. Clinical Oncology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone, 2004.

AssiƩ G, Antoni G, Tissier F, et al. Prognostic parameters of metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. January 2007;92:148-154.

Allolio B, Fassnacht M. Adrenocortical carcinoma: clinical update. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. June 1, 2006;91:2027-2037.