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A risk factor is anything that changes a person's chance of
getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk
factors. For example, unprotected exposure to strong sunlight is a risk
factor for skin cancer and smoking is a risk factor for cancers of the
lungs, mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, and several other organs.
Scientists have found few risk factors that make a person more likely
to develop adrenal gland tumors. Even if a patient does have one or
more risk factors for adrenal gland tumors, it is impossible to know
for sure how much that risk factor contributed to causing the cancer.
Genetic syndromes
The vast majority of adrenal cortex cancers are sporadic (not
related to heredity), but some, particularly in children, are caused by
a genetic defect.
Li-Fraumeni
syndrome: The Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a very rare
condition in which a genetic defect in a gene called p53 leads to a
greatly increased risk of developing several types of cancers. These
include breast cancer, bone cancers, brain cancer, and adrenal cortex
cancer.
Beckwith-Wiedemann
syndrome: People with this problem have large tongues,
are large themselves, and can develop cancers of the kidney, liver, and
adrenal cortex.
Multiple
endocrine neoplasia (MEN-1): People with MEN-1 have a
very high risk of developing tumors of three glands -- the pituitary,
parathyroid, and pancreas. About one third of people with this
condition also develop adrenal cortical adenomas, which tend to be
small and usually do not cause any symptoms. This syndrome is caused by
defects in a gene called MEN1. People who have a family history of
MEN-1 or pituitary, parathyroid, pancreas, or adrenal cancers should
ask their doctor whether they might benefit from genetic counseling.
Familial
adenomatous polyposis (FAP): People with this syndrome
develop hundreds of polyps in the large intestine. These polyps will
lead to colon cancer if the colon is not removed. FAP also increases
the risk of other cancers, including adrenal cortical cancer.
Lifestyle and environmental factors
Risk factors such as a high-fat diet, smoking, sedentary
lifestyle, and exposure to cancer-causing substances in the environment
have a great impact on a person's risk of developing many types of
cancer. Although none of these factors has been definitely found to
influence a person's risk of developing adrenal cortical cancer,
smoking has been suggested as a risk factor by some researchers.
Last Medical Review: 03/20/2009
Last Revised: 03/20/2009
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