Adrenal Cancer

What is Adrenal Cancer?

Adrenal cancer is a rare disease that originates in the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys and consist of two parts that function separately, the outer layer (cortex) and the inner area (medulla). Most adrenal tumors are benign (non-cancerous) and therefore don’t require treatment. Some tumors develop in the adrenal glands (primary tumors), whereas others spread to the adrenal gland from another organ (metastatic cancer). About 250 malignant adrenal gland cancers occur in the U.S. each year.

Adrenal Cancer Causes

The cause of adrenal cancer is unknown, although it’s generally believed that heredity plays a role.

Adrenal Cancer Symptoms

Symptoms of adrenal cancer typically don’t show until its later stages. A tumor may spread beyond the adrenal gland by the time it’s diagnosed. Symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
• Abdominal pain or fullness
• Increase in blood sugar
• Loss in weight

Treatment of Adrenal Cancer

While adrenal cancer can’t be prevented, it can be treated to some extent. Treatment options can depend on the stage of the cancer and can include the following:

• Surgery, including adrenalectomy, or removal of the adrenal gland. This is the only cure for adrenal cancer. Surgery is generally recommended for tumors confined to the adrenal gland, although symptoms typically don’t show until the later stages. The type of surgery performed depends on if and where the tumor may have spread.

• Chemotherapy, which is recommended for people who have adrenal cancer that cannot be cured with surgery. Drugs are given orally or intravenously depending upon a person’s situation and type of cancer. Chemotherapy is often combined with radiation therapy, surgery and directed tumor ablation.

• Radiation therapy, in which radiation is directed toward the adrenal glands or other locations to which the adrenal cancer has spread. It destroys cancer cells and reduces a tumor's size.

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