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Adrenocortical Carcinoma Treatment (PDQ®)     
Last Modified: 05/16/2008
Health Professional Version
Cellular Classification

Adrenocortical carcinoma can be classified as follows:

  • Differentiated: Functioning tumors are usually differentiated.
  • Anaplastic: Production of hormones by anaplastic tumors is rare.
  • Hormonal: Approximately 60% of adrenocortical carcinomas produce hormones. The associated clinical syndromes include the following:[1-3]
    • Hypercortisolism (Cushing syndrome).
    • Adrenogenital syndrome.
    • Virilization.
    • Feminization.
    • Precocious puberty.
    • Hyperaldosteronism.
    • Primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn syndrome).

References

  1. Javadpour N, Woltering EA, Brennan MF: Adrenal neoplasms. Curr Probl Surg 17 (1): 1-52, 1980.  [PUBMED Abstract]

  2. Nader S, Hickey RC, Sellin RV, et al.: Adrenal cortical carcinoma. A study of 77 cases. Cancer 52 (4): 707-11, 1983.  [PUBMED Abstract]

  3. Norton JA: Adrenal tumors. In: DeVita VT Jr, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds.: Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005, pp 1528-39.