Endocrine/neuroendocrine glands: Adrenal cortical carcinoma

Note Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare malignant neoplasm of adrenal glands, which most often presents without any hormonal symptoms. The most common clinical presentation of patients with hormone-secreting adrenocortical carcinoma is that of Cushing’s syndrome. Other hormonal hypersecretion syndromes associated with adrenocortical carcinoma include virilization (from androgen-producing tumors), feminization (estrogen-producing tumors), and hyperaldosteronism. Multiple hormones may be produced by a single tumor, causing a mixed clinical picture. In children, virilization is more common because carcinomas have a greater tendency to be presented with a hormonal syndrome.