Adrenal Gland Tumor Treatment

Adrenal glands are two small glands located above each kidney that regulate the body's response to stress. In rare instances, an individual may develop an adrenal gland tumor. These tumors can either be a non-functioning tumor that does not produce hormones or a functioning tumor that produces excess hormones. While some patients experience no symptoms, others may experience abdominal pain, weight changes, fatigue, headaches and high blood pressure. Doctors recommend treatment based on a tumor's size, location and malignancy.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy is a common treatment for adrenal gland tumors. Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells in the tumor. Doctors can administer chemotherapy drugs orally or intravenously. There are several types of chemotherapy used for adrenal gland tumors, including systemic chemotherapy and Mitotane. Although chemotherapy is a common treatment for adrenal gland tumors, it rarely eliminates the cancer completely when used alone. As a result, chemotherapy is often used along with other treatment methods.

Radiation Therapy

• Radiation therapy can treat adrenal gland tumors by means of high energy X-rays. Radiation therapy decreases the size of the tumor and kills cancer cells. There are several forms of radiation therapy. External-beam radiation therapy involves radiation that is administered from an external machine. In radio-frequency ablation, doctors use electricity to attack the tumor through a needle. Internal radiation therapy is administered through implants. Like chemotherapy, radiation therapy can also be used along with other treatments.

Surgery

• Surgery is sometimes an option for patients with adrenal gland tumors. When considering surgery, the size of the tumor is important. Doctors recommend laparoscopic surgery for tumors that measure less than 5 centimeters. Here a surgeon uses a tiny telescope and instruments to remove the tumor through a small incision. Doctors recommend thoracoabdominal surgery for larger tumors. This procedure involves a larger incision. It also allows surgeons to examine the tissues around the tumor.

Tumor Debulking

• When removing an entire tumor would cause excessive damage to the adrenal gland or to neighboring tissues, surgeons may debulk the tumor instead. During this procedure, surgeons remove as much of a tumor as they can safely. Although tumor debulking is not a cure, it may help to relieve some of a patient's symptoms, improve their quality of life and increase their chances of survival. After the procedure, doctors may continue to treat the remaining tumor using other methods.

Side Effects

• The side effects of adrenal gland tumor treatments vary in type and severity depending on the individual patient and their overall condition. The side effects of chemotherapy treatments depend largely upon a patient's prescribed dosage. Potential side effects of chemotherapy treatment include infection, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, appetite loss and nausea. Radiation therapy treatments have similar side effects and include nausea, diarrhea, fatigue and skin irritation. With any type of adrenal gland surgery, bleeding is always a risk.