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Removal of an Adrenal Gland Tumor

The American Urological Association Foundation reports a five-year survival rate of 35 percent or less for people with adrenal cancer. Such data makes it imperative to detect and remove tumors on the adrenal gland before they become cancerous.

  1. Tumor Removal

    • The two types of surgery used to remove adrenal gland tumors are traditional "open" surgery and contemporary laparoscopic adrenalectomy surgery. Chemotherapy often follows both procedures to help prevent cancer from spreading.

    Traditional Surgery

    • Before advances in surgical techniques, surgically removing tumors on the adrenal gland required making an incision approximately 6 to 12 inches long on the abdomen, back, or area between the hip and ribs.

    Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy

    • Modern laparoscopic adrenalectomy is less invasive and involves making several incisions of one-quarter to one-half inch, before inserting a laparoscope--a small, flexible, telescopic device that magnifies images--to help the surgeon see and remove the tumor. This laparoscopic surgery requires anesthesia.

    Considerations

    • To completely remove a tumor, the surgeon usually has to remove the entire adrenal gland.

    Recovery

    • Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is preferable to traditional surgery because there is less pain and scarring afterwards, in addition to a shorter recovery time and hospital stay.

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