What is Adrenocortical Carcinoma?

This is a very rare malignant cancer of the cortex of the adrenal gland. A malignant tumour is one that is capable of spreading to other parts of the body causing many problems. It can be functioning (i.e. producing hormones resulting in the different types of conditions described previously) or non-functioning. Approximately 40% of such tumours are functional.

Who gets adrenocortical carcinoma?

It is a very rare tumour affecting approximately 1 in 1.7 million people. It has been reported in patients of all age ranges, but occurs mainly between the ages of 40 and 50 years. It occurs approximately equally among males and females.