(ACC) is a cancer affecting the cortex, or outer layer, of the adrenal gland. It typically has a poor prognosis, partly because of the cancer and partly because it usually causes Cushing’s syndrome. With aggressive treatment, the five-year survival without recurrence of the disease is about 30%. About three percent of all cortical tumors are the malignant form of adrenocortical carcinoma.

The adrenal glands are also called the suprarenal glands, and are located just behind each kidney (making it easy for the cancer to metastasize there). The cells in the cortex produce cortisol and certain sex hormones like androgen. Symptoms of adrenocortical carcinoma may include abdominal pain, weight loss, and extreme weakness. Other, rarer symptoms include weak bones, diabetes, hirsutism (excess hair, esp. on the face), swelling of sex organs and breasts, and deeper voice.

Treatment for adrenocortical carcinoma involves a complete surgical excision of the cancer and sometimes the entire gland, as well as chemotherapy. Radiation therapy has been experimented with, but the results are unclear. While the cancer is still active, cortisol is heavily overproduced and may require suppression while the patient is waiting for surgery and chemotherapy.

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