Your adrenal glands make important hormones. They help control everything from your blood pressure and immune system to your weight and sex drive.
Sometimes, these two small glands make too many hormones — disrupting the way your body works. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a rare cancer, can cause this. So, when you discover you may have this uncommon cancer, you may wonder where you can get the best expert care.
Cleveland Clinic has healthcare providers who are highly experienced in treating (and often curing) this type of cancer. We see hundreds of people with adrenal tumors and neuroendocrine tumors — and do multiple adrenalectomies (adrenal gland removals) — each year. And our treatment reaches well beyond testing and therapies. We support all your needs from the moment you make your first appointment.
You’ll have a care team of providers from different specialties. They meet regularly to go over your treatment progress. And they work together to decide on your next steps, so you always have the most personalized care for your needs. Meet our team.
Adrenocortical carcinoma can cause many changes in your body, especially hormone imbalances. We help you manage your hormone levels and prevent complications from these imbalances as you go through treatment and recovery.
Adrenal tumors can often be linked to genetic conditions passed down through families. Cleveland Clinic has a team of genetic counselors and specialists who work with you and your family to help you learn more about any increased genetic risks.
Not all appointments need to be in person. Virtual visits let you meet one-on-one with your providers online. You can talk about your progress and concerns with them from the comfort of home.
Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We’re recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.
You have two adrenal glands — one on top of each kidney. The outer layer of these glands, the adrenal cortex, makes important hormones.
When you’re diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma, it means tumors are growing in the adrenal cortex. This can affect the way your adrenal glands work. They can go into overdrive and produce too many hormones. There are two types of adrenocortical carcinoma:
Without treatment, adrenal tumors can grow larger. They can press on other organs and affect how they work. And if the tumor is a functioning adrenocortical carcinoma, it can cause other conditions because of the extra hormone production.
When you meet with your healthcare provider for the first time, they’ll take time getting to know you. To do this, they’ll ask you to share your story. Hearing you describe what’s going on is a great way to better understand your needs and goals for treatment. You’ll want to share:
During this visit, your provider will also ask you questions about your personal and family medical histories. It’s important for us to know if anyone else has had adrenal cancer or related conditions like Cushing syndrome or Conn’s syndrome. You’ll also have a physical exam so your provider can check for any swelling or lumps in your belly. And your provider may order tests to help confirm your diagnosis, like:
Blood, urine (pee) and saliva tests help us to check for high levels of hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, estrogen and testosterone.We also use these tests to check for related adrenal conditions.
We may recommend imaging tests so we can get a closer look at the size and location of the adrenal gland tumors. These tests also show us if tumors have spread beyond your adrenal glands, like to your lymph nodes or other areas. You may have:
We may recommend genetic testing for you and close relatives if you have, or suspect a family history of, adrenocortical carcinoma. You’ll start the testing process with genetic counseling.
In very rare situations, we may need to do a needle biopsy, where we take a small sample of tissue from the adrenal tumor. A pathologist studies the sample under a microscope to look for cancerous cells.
When you learn you may have a rare cancer like adrenocortical carcinoma, you may feel uncertain about what’s next. But one thing is likely clear — you want to feel confident you have the support of providers you trust to give you the best possible care. That’s why we encourage second opinions.
Our expert cancer specialists will dive in and help you better understand your diagnosis and the right treatment options for you. We also know that cancer doesn’t wait, so we always try to meet with you as soon as possible. Getting a second opinion can help you feel more in control of your care and give you peace of mind knowing you’re in the most capable hands.
You’ll have a handpicked care team of providers from different specialties. We build this team based on your unique needs and diagnosis. It could include:
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Florida.
If your physical exam and testing confirm an ACC diagnosis, your care team will work with you to create a treatment plan that keeps you and your needs at the center of your care.
An adrenalectomy to remove one or both of your adrenal glands is the most common treatment for adrenal gland cancer. And it’s the only cure.
We may do your adrenalectomy using open (large incision) or minimally invasive (small incisions) surgery. This depends on the size of the tumor and where it is.
We typically use minimally invasive techniques for small tumors. If the tumor is large, we make a cut in your abdomen and take out the tumor in one piece. This can lower the risk of cancer spreading during surgery.
Your care team may recommend other treatments for adrenocortical carcinoma if they aren’t able to remove adrenal tumors with surgery — or when cancer has spread to other parts of your body.
These treatments include:
You may also take medication to help control your hormone levels and reduce some symptoms of adrenal gland cancer.
While adrenocortical carcinoma is considered a rare cancer, treatment is far from rare at Cleveland Clinic. Our experienced team of healthcare providers compassionately guides you through what it takes to diagnose and treat this cancer. From the moment you make your first appointment through recovery and follow-ups, you can count on our steadfast support and expert care.
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