It can also spread to nearby organs and tissues, such as lymph nodes. If left untreated, the tumor can spread to the peritoneum, lung, bone, or peritoneum.
Most cases of adrenocortical carcinoma are discovered by chance. Patients can experience unexplained abdominal pain and fullness, or they may feel bloated or full after eating only small amounts of food. Because the condition may occur due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, symptoms are often mild or nonexistent. In such cases, a doctor will perform a physical examination and order tests to confirm the diagnosis.
The majority of adrenocortical tumors are benign and do not cause symptoms. They are small and are not invasive. The disease is often diagnosed during a physical exam and may require imaging studies or blood or urine tests. The diagnosis of adrenocortical cancer is based on a number of factors, including the patient’s age and family history.
Surgery is the main treatment for adrenocortical cancer. The surgeon will remove the affected adrenal gland, as well as any surrounding tissue. Experts don’t yet know what causes adrenocortical carcinoma, but they do know that it can be passed on in families. It is important to have genetic tests for early detection to make sure you don’t develop it.
Initially, patients may not show any signs of the disease. However, a lump in the abdomen can be a sign that the disease is growing. If the tumor has spread, it may be hard to treat the condition. Children with adrenocortical cancer may experience a number of symptoms. It can cause severe abdominal pain. Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the tumor.
The most common adrenocortical cancer symptoms are nonfunctioning tumors. Generally, adrenocortical carcinomas are rare. In children, only about 25 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. In southern Brazil, the incidence is estimated to be 15 times higher than in the United States. Although it is rare, it is associated with several hereditary syndomes.
The most common symptoms of adrenocortical cancer are abdominal pain, fever, and loss of appetite. In adults, the most common symptoms are unspecific abdominal pain, bloating, and weight loss. In children, the second most common symptom is thirst. It may be present in both sexes. For example, adrenocortical carcinomas can affect sexual characteristics and increase appetite.
In children, the most common symptoms of adrenocortical cancer are not cancerous. Most tumors are benign and nonfunctioning and are no more than 4 cm in diameter. In adults, the symptoms of adrenocortaxial carcinoma include hypertension, round face, and double chin. Some of these tumors are asymptomatic and do not spread.
Symptoms of adrenocortical cancer vary from patient to patient. During the early stages of the disease, an adrenocortical tumor may not cause symptoms. In other cases, it may be asymptomatic. But, the symptoms of adrenocortical carcinoma may not be obvious until the disease has spread. There are a variety of symptoms associated with adrenocortical cancer.
