The various forms of Adrenal Cancer are usually diagnosed by patient symptoms. On occasion its presence is inadvertently detected when imaging studies (CT scanning; magnetic resonance imaging) are undergone for another unrelated condition.

Pheochromocytoma is a form of adrenal cancer usually accompanied by increased blood pressure. Magnetic resonance imaging is one of the most effective diagnostic methods for detecting it. Surgically removing it is usually succeds in reducing the blood pressure.

Another form of adrenal cancer involves the production of steroids, which leads to obesity of the torso while paradoxically a disproportionate thinning of extremities occurs. Diabetes, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, and bleeding abnormalities accompany this symptom.