General Information About Adrenal Gland Cancer
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a type of cancer that starts in the cells of the adrenal glands, which regulate the body's stress responses and metabolism, and is rare but can tend to spread quickly.
Most of the masses seen in the adrenal gland (90%) are benign adenomas that do not grow. Cancers (Adrenocortical carcinoma), on the other hand, grow rapidly and carry the risk of spreading to surrounding tissues and the liver.
The tumor may cause back or abdominal pain due to a mass effect. However, the most prominent complaints are rapid weight gain (resembling Cushing's syndrome), a moon-face appearance, and diabetes, developed due to excessive hormones secreted by the tumor.
If the tumor secretes excessive noradrenaline/adrenaline (pheochromocytoma), the heart beats excessively fast, the patient experiences sweating attacks, and fatal blood pressure spikes that can lead to a stroke (paralysis) may occur.
It starts with the measurement of hormone levels (cortisol, catecholamines) in the blood and urine. A CT scan or MRI with special protocols is requested to determine whether the mass is benign or malignant.
If the disease has not spread, the first and most important treatment option is the complete surgical removal of the tumorous gland (usually via laparoscopic/closed method). In advanced stages, special chemotherapy pills and radiotherapy are applied.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
