Patient education: Adrenal cancer (The Basics)

What is adrenal cancer? — Adrenal cancer happens when normal cells in the adrenal gland change into abnormal cells and grow out of control. The adrenal glands are small organs that sit on top of each kidney (figure 1). The adrenal glands make different hormones.

What are the symptoms of adrenal cancer? — When adrenal cancer causes symptoms, it does this in different ways. Some adrenal cancers make abnormally high levels of hormones. Depending on the hormones involved, this can cause symptoms such as:

●Weight gain

●Muscle weakness

●Trouble sleeping

●Deep voice and increased hair growth, usually on the face (in females)

Other conditions can cause the above symptoms, too. But these symptoms usually show up more quickly, sometimes within 3 to 6 months, when adrenal cancer is the cause.

Adrenal cancer can also cause other symptoms that have nothing to do with abnormally high levels of hormones. These can include:

●Pain in the belly, or on the side or lower back

●Weight loss or loss of appetite

All of the symptoms listed above can also be caused by conditions that are not adrenal cancer. But if you have these symptoms, tell your doctor or nurse.

Some people with adrenal cancer have no symptoms. They find out they have it after their doctor does an imaging test for another reason. Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body.

Is there a test for adrenal cancer? — Yes. Tests for adrenal cancer usually include:

●Blood and urine tests to measure the levels of different hormones

●An imaging test such as a CT or MRI scan

What is cancer staging? — Cancer staging is a way in which doctors find out how far a cancer has spread.

The right treatment for you will depend a lot on the stage of your adrenal cancer and your other medical problems.

How is adrenal cancer treated? — Most people with adrenal cancer are treated with surgery to remove the cancer.

After surgery, people might have other treatments that can include:

●Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy is the medical term for medicines that kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. The medicine most often used for adrenal cancer is called "mitotane."

●Radiation therapy – Radiation kills cancer cells.

What happens after treatment? — After treatment, your doctor will check you regularly to see if the cancer comes back. Follow-up tests include exams, blood tests, and imaging tests.

You should also watch for the symptoms listed above. Having those symptoms could mean that your adrenal cancer has come back. Tell your doctor or nurse if you have any symptoms.

You might also need to take long-term medicines to correct the levels of hormones in your body. To monitor your hormone levels, your doctor will do regular follow-up blood tests.

What happens if my adrenal cancer comes back or spreads? — If your adrenal cancer comes back or spreads, you might have more chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy.

What else should I do? — It's important to follow all of your doctor's instructions about visits and tests. It's also important to talk to your doctor about any side effects or problems you have during treatment.

Getting treated for adrenal cancer involves making many choices, such as what treatment to have. Always let your doctors and nurses know how you feel about a treatment. Any time you are offered a treatment, ask:

●What are the benefits of this treatment? Is it likely to help me live longer? Will it reduce or prevent symptoms?

●What are the downsides to this treatment?

●Are there other options besides this treatment?

●What happens if I do not have this treatment?

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