Some people have all of these symptoms, but many people with high cortisol levels have only a few. Symptoms caused by cortisol productionĮxcessive levels of cortisol causes a problem known as Cushing syndrome. Women with tumors that make androgens (male hormones) may notice excessive facial and body hair growth, a receding hairline, irregular menstrual periods, and deepening of their voice. They may also have sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction (impotence) and loss of sex drive. For example, men with tumors that make estrogen may notice their breasts becoming enlarged and tender. Symptoms are easier to notice if the tumor is making the hormone usually found in the opposite sex. Women with estrogen-producing tumors and men with androgen-producing tumors usually do not have any symptoms from the hormones, so they might not have symptoms until the tumor is large enough to press on nearby organs. The symptoms from high levels of sex hormones are less noticeable in adults because they have already gone through puberty and have breasts and adult patterns of body hair. Estrogen-producing tumors can also enlarge breasts in boys. This can cause breasts to develop and menstrual periods to start. If the tumor secretes estrogens (female-type hormones), girls can start puberty early. Male hormones may also enlarge the penis in boys or the clitoris in girls. The most common symptoms are excessive growth of facial and body hair (such as in the pubic and underarm areas). In children, symptoms are most often caused by the androgens (male-type hormones) that the tumor secretes. Symptoms caused by androgen or estrogen production Getting the proper medical tests is the only way to find out and to get the proper treatment, if needed. These symptoms may be caused by an adrenal tumor or by something else.

If you or your child has any of the signs or symptoms described here, discuss them with your doctor without delay. In the other half, symptoms occur because the tumor has grown so large that it presses on nearby organs.

In about half of people with adrenal cancer, symptoms are caused by the hormones made by the tumor.

Symptoms of adrenal glands