Adrenal Cancer

Cancer is made of changed cells that grow out of control. The changed (abnormal) cells often grow to form a lump or mass called a tumor. Cancer cells can also grow into (invade) nearby areas. And they can spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastasis.

Adrenal cancer is a rare cancer that starts in the adrenal glands. You have 2 adrenal glands. One sits on top of each kidney. The 2 kidneys are in the upper part of your belly (abdomen). The adrenal glands make hormones that help control blood pressure. They also control how the body gets energy from food and reacts to stress. The glands also make a small amount of sex hormones.

Each adrenal gland has 2 main parts. The outer part of the adrenal gland is called the adrenal cortex. Most adrenal cancers start in this area. The inner part is called the adrenal medulla. Most tumors in the adrenal glands are not cancer (benign). It is often hard to tell if an adrenal tumor is cancer (malignant). If the tumor grows and spreads to lymph nodes or other parts of the body, it is cancer. Benign tumors don’t spread.

 Tumors that start in the adrenal glands include:

• Adenoma. This is the most common kind of adrenal gland tumor. It is not cancer (benign).

• Adrenal cancer (adrenal cortical carcinoma). This kind of tumor is rare. But it is the most common type of cancerous adrenal gland tumor.

• Pheochromocytoma. This is a growth that makes hormones inside the adrenal glands. In most cases it is not cancer.

• Neuroblastoma. This cancerous tumor most often begins in the adrenal glands. But it can also start in the neck, chest, or spinal cord.

A risk factor is anything that may increase your chance of having a disease. The exact cause of someone’s cancer may not be known. But risk factors can make it more likely for a person to have cancer. Some risk factors may not be in your control. But others may be things you can change.

Doctors don’t know what causes most adrenal cancers. But some factors can increase your risk for it. These include having a family history of certain genetic syndromes such as:

• Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

• Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.

• Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN1).

• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

• Lynch syndrome or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).

Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk factors for adrenal cancer and what you can do about them.

Researchers don’t yet know how to prevent this type of cancer.

Symptoms of adrenal cancer are usually caused by the hormones the tumor is making. Some symptoms are caused when the tumor is very large and is pressing on nearby organs. People with adrenal cancer may have any or all of these symptoms:

• Belly or back pain.

• Belly stretch marks.

• Muscle cramps.

• Easy bruising.

• Rapid heartbeat or heart pounding.

• Headache.

• Full feeling in the belly or feeling full after eating only a small amount.

• Sexual problems.

• Enlarged breasts or sex organs.

• Extra facial and body hair, often in women.

• Fatty areas on the shoulders and the back of the neck.

• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss.

• Weakness and low potassium levels.

• Anxiety or new panic attacks.

• High blood pressure.

• Diabetes.

• Bone weakening (osteoporosis).

Many of these may be caused by other health problems, but it is important to see your healthcare provider if you have these symptoms. Only a healthcare provider can tell if you have cancer.

Your treatment choices depend on the type of adrenal cancer you have, test results, and the stage of the cancer. The goal of treatment may be to cure you, control the cancer or help ease problems caused by the cancer. Talk with your healthcare team about your treatment choices, the goals of treatment, and what the risks and side effects may be.

Types of treatment for cancer are either local or systemic. Local treatments remove, destroy, or control cancer cells in one area. Surgery and radiation are local treatments. Systemic treatment is used to destroy or control cancer cells that may have traveled around your body. When taken by pill or injection, chemotherapy is a systemic treatment. You may have just one treatment or a combination of treatments.

Type of treatments for adrenal cancer include:

• Surgery.

• Radiation therapy.

• Chemotherapy.

• Medicines to control hormone levels.

Talk with your healthcare providers about your treatment options. Make a list of questions. Think about the benefits and possible side effects of each option. Talk about your concerns with your healthcare provider before making a decision.

Cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation can damage normal cells. This causes side effects such as hair loss, mouth sores, and vomiting. Talk with your healthcare provider about side effects you might have and ways to manage them. There may be things you can do and medicines you can take to help prevent or control side effects.

Many people feel worried, depressed, and stressed when dealing with cancer. Getting treatment for cancer can be tough on the mind and body. Keep talking with your healthcare team about any problems or concerns you have.  Work together to ease the effect of cancer and its symptoms on your daily life.

Here are tips:

• Talk with your family or friends.

• Ask your healthcare team or social worker for help.

• Speak with a counselor.

• Talk with a spiritual advisor, such as a minister or rabbi.

• Ask your healthcare team about medicines for depression or anxiety.

• Keep socially active.

• Join a cancer support group.

Cancer treatment is also hard on the body. To help yourself stay healthier, try to:

• Eat a healthy diet, with as many protein foods as possible.

• Drink plenty of water, fruit juices, and other liquids.

• Keep physically active.

• Rest as much as needed.

• Talk with your healthcare team about ways to manage treatment side effects.

• Take your medicines as directed by your team.

Your healthcare provider will talk with you about when to call. You may be told to call if you have any of the below:

• New symptoms or symptoms that get worse.

• Signs of an infection, such as a fever.

• Side effects of treatment that affect your daily function or don’t get better with treatment.

Ask your healthcare provider what signs to watch for, and when to call. Know how to get help after office hours and on weekends and holidays.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.

• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.

• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.

• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.

• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.