National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Adrenal cancer


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Adrenal cancer is a rare form of cancer that occurs due to abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth in the adrenal glands (small glands that sit above each kidney). There are three different types of adrenal cancer which vary by location and the age at which they are often diagnosed:
The signs and symptoms associated with the condition largely depend on if the cancer is 'functioning' (producing hormones) or 'nonfunctioning' (not producing hormones) and which hormones are present in excess. In most cases, the underlying cause of the condition is unknown. However, certain genetic conditions such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, neurofibromatosis type I, and Carney complex are associated with an increased risk of developing adrenal tumors and cancer. Treatment may include a combination of surgery, hormone therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.[1][2][3]
Last updated: 3/14/2017

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Adrenal cancer. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.

Financial Resources

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The American Cancer Society provides more information on Adrenal cancer.
  • Mayo Clinic has an information page on Adrenal cancer.
  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
  • The National Cancer Institute provides the most current information on cancer for patients, health professionals, and the general public.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Adrenal cancer. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  1. Adrenal Gland Tumor. The American Society of Clinical Oncology. March 2016; http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/adrenal-gland-tumor/introduction.
  2. Adrenal Carcinoma. Medscape Reference. January 2017; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/276264-overview.
  3. Adrenal Cancer. Mayo Clinic. December 2015; http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adrenal-cancer/home/ovc-20165296.