Can Adrenal Cancer Be Cured?

The adrenal glands are important glands located on top of the kidneys. These specialized glands create hormones such as cortisol. These glands can also be vulnerable to adrenal cancer. Fortunately, modern technology allows a cure for this deadly disease.

Surgical Cure

• Adrenalectomy is the only complete cure for adrenal cancer. An adrenalectomy entails removal of the adrenal glands or early-stage tumors from the adrenal glands. Prior to an adrenalectomy, a doctor will investigate the possibility of metastases (spreading of the cancer to other parts of the body). If the cancer has spread, additional surgery may be required. This all depends on the stage of the cancer and the doctor. If cancer is in early stages, an adrenalectomy can completely remove cancerous cells from the body. Most operations can be performed via laparoscope. A fiber-optic viewing utensil is inserted into a small incision; the scope is used to remove small tumors. For complete removal or multiple tumor removal, a larger incision is required along with manual surgery.

Additional Treatments

• Chemotherapy is a medical process of using chemicals to kill cancerous cells. Chemo is a palliative treatment for adrenal cancer, but not a cure. Chemotherapy is only required if cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Chemo is used in conjunction with surgeries to remove tumors or to shrink tumors prior to removal.

  Radiation therapy, the use of high-frequency energy to kill cancer cells, is used in the same way as chemotherapy-- relieving the symptoms of advanced-stage adrenal cancer or in conjunction with surgery.

  Mitotane is a special, new drug treatment for inoperable adrenal cancer. Oncologychannel.com states that 20 percent of the patients who use Mitotane respond positively with a reduction of cancer cells.

Additional Information

• Adrenal cancer, though extremely dangerous, is a curable disease. The key to treating any cancer is early detection. Most cases of adrenal disease are discovered due to the symptoms of excess hormone production that occurs due to tumors on the adrenal glands. Virilization, sudden development of male traits in a woman, is caused by too much testosterone production from the adrenal gland. These traits may entail deepening of the voice and excess hair growth. Feminization, sudden development of female traits in a man, is caused because of excess estrogen production. Enlarging of breasts and a higher speaking voice are symptoms. For a detailed list of symptoms, see the Resources section. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away.