It is believed that only 25 cases of this tumor in children are diagnosed annually in the United States. The incidence is 15 times higher in southern Brazil. The cancer has several hereditary syndomes, but no single treatment is known to be effective in all cases.
Adrenocortical cancer may be detected early. Symptoms include abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness. The tumor may also appear in the form of a tumor or as a nonfunctioning cyst. Other symptoms include growth of fine hair or a lump of fat. In addition, the pain and fullness may occur in both sexes. However, some people have no symptoms at all.
Some symptoms of adrenocortical carcinoma may be vague or coincide with other symptoms of a different disease. In men, a deepening of the voice and swelling of the sex organs may occur. Women who have undergone menopause may have irregular menstrual cycles. If these signs occur, the cancer has not spread to other areas of the body.
Although the cause of adrenocortical carcinoma is not known, it is thought to be linked to some genetic syndromes. Abnormalities in the p53 gene, which codes for a tumor suppressor protein, are a risk factor. If diagnosed in its early stages, adrenocortical cancer is highly curable. Unfortunately, most ACCs are discovered at an advanced stage.
Symptoms of adrenocortical cancers vary. While many patients develop adrenocortical tumors in their lifetimes, the majority of these cases are benign. Most adrenocortical cancer patients will have symptoms of pain in the abdominal area. Some may experience other medical problems, including back pain, fever, and fatigue. Adrenocortical Carcinoma is not a disease you should ignore.
Symptoms of adrenocortical tumors may include a double chin or a round face. If the tumor is malignant, it may press on other organs and may cause other symptoms. Most adrenocortical cancers do not spread to other parts of the body. While adrenocortical tumor symptoms can vary significantly, the disease is often a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
The most common symptoms of adrenocortical cancer include pain in the abdominal area, back pain, and a fullness sensation in the abdomen. Typically, symptoms of adrenocorticism are caused by an overactive adrenal gland. The tumor may also produce toxic substances, such as estrogens. The symptoms of adrenocortically-related cancers are often confused with other medical conditions.
Some patients may experience symptoms of adrenocortical cancer. The most common symptom is abdominal pain. Other symptoms of adrenocortiocystical cancer include a deepening of the voice, swelling of sex organs, and vaginal bleeding. The tumor may have a number of symptoms, but these are not necessarily indicative of the disease.
If you have experienced these symptoms, you may have adrenocortical cancer. Your doctor may also note that there are no other signs. You may have a deepened voice, swollen breasts, or other symptoms. While these symptoms are usually unrelated to adrenocortical cancer, they can be signs of other conditions. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact a doctor to get a definitive diagnosis.
