Is adrenocortical carcinoma curable?

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a very rare type of cancer that forms in the outer lining of the adrenal glands. When diagnosed early, a combination of surgery, radiation or chemotherapy often provides a cure.

What are the classifications of cancer?

Four main types of cancer are:

Carcinomas. A carcinoma begins in the skin or the tissue that covers the surface of internal organs and glands.
Sarcomas. A sarcoma begins in the tissues that support and connect the body.
Leukemias. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood.
Lymphomas.

What is TNM staging in cancer?

STAY-jing SIS-tem) A system to describe the amount and spread of cancer in a patient’s body, using TNM. T describes the size of the tumor and any spread of cancer into nearby tissue; N describes spread of cancer to nearby lymph nodes; and M describes metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body).

What is adrenocortical carcinoma?

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the outer layer of the adrenal gland. Having certain genetic conditions increases the risk of adrenocortical carcinoma. Symptoms of adrenocortical carcinoma include pain in the abdomen.

What are the symptoms of adrenocortical carcinoma?

Adrenocortical carcinoma forms on the outermost part of the adrenal gland. Symptoms of adrenal cancer might include weight gain, muscle weakness, trouble sleeping, deepening voice and increased hair growth, usually on the face (in women), pain in the abdomen or lower back, weight loss or loss of appetite.

Can a benign adrenal tumor become malignant?

Adrenal tumors can be malignant (cancer) or benign (not cancerous). Even benign adrenal tumors can be dangerous or cause uncomfortable symptoms. The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system, which releases hormones into the blood system.

Where do sarcomas originate?

While sarcomas may arise anywhere in the body, they most often originate in the arms, legs, chest, or abdomen. Sarcomas are often not symptomatic until they are very large and may first be noticed as swelling or a painless lump.

Is melanoma a sarcoma or carcinoma?

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that begins in cells known as melanocytes. While it is less common than basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma is more dangerous because of its ability to spread to other organs more rapidly if it is not treated at an early stage.