


A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. These hormones, often called catecholamines, control the body’s responses to stress, including the “fight or flight” adrenaline surge.Ī tumor begins when healthy cells change and grow out of control, forming a mass. The adrenal medulla makes 3 hormones: epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The inner part of the adrenal glands is called the medulla. These hormones carefully control metabolism, blood pressure, and body features, such as hair growth and body shape.Īdrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex makes 3 main hormones: cortisol, aldosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The outer part of the adrenal gland is called the cortex. Hormones are chemical substances that are carried through the bloodstream to have a specific effect on the activity of other organs or cells in the body.Įach adrenal gland has 2 main parts that function separately:Īdrenal cortex. The endocrine system is made up of tissues and organs that produce hormones. These glands are important to the body’s endocrine system. The adrenal glands are small, yellowish in color, and normally weigh about 10 grams. About the adrenal glandsĮach person has 2 adrenal glands. Think of that menu as a roadmap to this entire guide. This is the first page of Cancer.Net’s Guide to Adrenal Gland Tumors. The tumours from the adrenal cortex produce excess secretion of steroid hormones and aldosterone and tumours from the adrenal medulla produce excessive amounts of catecholamines.ON THIS PAGE: You will find some basic information about this type of tumor and the parts of the body they may affect. Adrenal tumours commonly present because symptoms from excess secretion of hormones by the tumour. Tumours of the adrenal glands arise from the cortex or the medulla part of the adrenal gland. Adrenal tumoursĪdrenal tumours can either be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The adrenal cortex also makes sex hormones but this only becomes important if overproduction is present. The adrenal cortex produces other hormones necessary for fluid and electrolyte (salt) balance in the body such as cortisone and aldosterone. The medulla is responsible for producing epinephrine and norepinephrine (adrenaline). Each gland consists of a medulla (middle), which is surrounded by the cortex. The adrenal glands are triangular shaped and measure about 4cm in height and 8cm in length. The adrenal glands are endocrine glands, which are located on the top of both kidneys.
