< Pathology

Adrenocortical Carcinoma

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare childhood cancer that is most often diagnosed in children between the ages of 1 and 4. The condition may be inherited and it affects more boys than girls. This type of cancer affects the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys, causing them to make too much or too little of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands. Symptoms include:

  • A lump in the belly
  • Pain
  • Full feeling in the stomach

Treatments may include:

  • Surgery to remove the tumor
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation
  • Hormonal treatment to relive symptoms caused by extra hormones