Adrenal tumorsĪdrenal cancer is rare, affecting as few as 200 people in the United States each year, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Without treatment, an adrenal crisis can be fatal. If a person shows any signs of an adrenal crisis, they should seek immediate medical help.

a sharp pain in the abdomen, lower back, or legs.

Signs and symptoms of an adrenal crisis include: Without enough cortisol, a person may experience an adrenal crisis.

darkening of the skin, especially on scars, lips, skin folds, and jointsĪdrenal insufficiency requires treatment.

irregular or absent menstrual periods before menopause.

The most common signs and symptoms include: They may come on slowly, so a person may think that something else is causing them. The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency can be difficult to spot. People with Addison’s disease will often have a deficiency in aldosterone as well as cortisol.

having a condition that weakens the immune system, such as HIV or AIDS.

taking corticosteroids for a long time and then suddenly stopping.

tumors on the adrenal glands or those that communicate with the adrenal glands.

autoimmune disease, which is the most common cause of Addison’s disease, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

There are many potential causes of adrenal insufficiency, including: This means that the adrenals cannot make enough cortisol. Without CRH, the pituitary gland cannot make ACTH. This occurs when the brain cannot produce enough corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Without ACTH, the adrenals do not receive a signal to make cortisol.

This occurs when the pituitary gland does not make enough of a hormone called adrenocorticotropin (ACTH).

This condition develops when the adrenal gland itself does not function well and cannot make enough cortisol. Primary adrenal insufficiency, or Addison’s disease.There are three types of adrenal insufficiency: When the adrenal glands do not make enough cortisol, it is known as adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency and Addison’s disease The following sections discuss the most common adrenal gland disorders. When this happens, it is known as an adrenal gland disorder. Sometimes, the adrenal glands produce too much or not enough of their hormones.

Location of the adrenal cortex