The adrenal glands are paired glands located in the upper edge of each kidney. They produce hormones that, secreted into the bloodstream, maintain blood pressure and respond to stress.
Adrenal cancer is a rare type of cancer. For the most part, an adrenal gland tumor is benign, in particular if the neoplasm is located in the outer layer of the glands. Such neoplasms are called adrenocortical tumors.
The two main types of adrenal tumors that develop from the medulla are:
- Pheochromocytoma is a very rare tumor, the frequency of occurrence of this formation is approximately ten percent;
- Neuroblastoma is a type of malignancy that occurs mainly in children.
Adrenal Cancer - Symptoms
The most pronounced signs of the disease include Cushing's syndrome, which is characterized by the following manifestations:
- Muscle weakness in the upper legs and arms;
- Enhanced hair growth on the body and face in women;
- Fat deposits in the area of the body, especially in the neck;
- Thinness of the skin.
Also, the disease is often accompanied by the development of diabetes.
This symptomatology can indicate both a benign form of adrenal cancer and a malignant one. In any case, when such phenomena are identified, it is worth immediately seeking help from a doctor.
Since pheochrocytoma produces substances that affect blood pressure and the response to a stressful situation, it can manifest itself in the form of a wide variety of symptoms, in particular such:
- Sudden mood swings ;
- Fainting;
- Headache;
- Constant feeling of thirst;
- Increased sweating;
- Heart palpitations;
- Tingling in the chest ;
- Frequent urination.
Such cancers are more common among middle-aged people.
Adrenal Cancer - Causes
Age factor. As a rule, adrenal cancer is most often detected in children, or in people who have reached the level of 40-50 years.
Endocrine multiple tumors - may be inherited. They lead to a risk of developing cancers in the pancreas and parathyroid gland, as well as in the pituitary gland. Oncology of the adrenal cortex, which is usually asymptomatic, can also occur in some patients.
However, cancer of the adrenal cortex in most cases is not inherited. Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a rare occurrence when there is an increased risk of adrenal cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer.
The development of oncology of the adrenal cortex is not affected by the environmental factor, lifestyle, bad habits, which have a significant impact on the manifestations of various other forms of cancer.
Adrenal Cancer - Diagnosis
- Blood tests (biochemical, measurement of estrogen and testosterone levels);
- Collection of the patient’s medical history and physiological examination - allow you to learn about the general condition of the patient, the presence of seals and swollen lymph nodes;
- Urinalysis - performed to determine the degree of 17-ketosteroids and cortisol in daily urine collection. An increase in hormone levels may indicate the presence of adrenal cancer;
- CT (Computed Tomography) - X-ray examination, which consists in creating three-dimensional images of the internal organs of the patient, which are displayed on a computer screen;
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a diagnostic method in which a computer and magnetic fields are used. This helps doctors get clearer images of organs and tissues. If adrenal cancer is suspected, an abdominal MRI is done;
- Adrenal gland angiography is a method of x-ray examination of blood vessels located near the adrenal glands. It consists in the introduction of contrast agents into the adrenal arteries. Conducted in order to find out if there are violations in the hematopoietic system;
- PET (positron emission tomography) - determines the degree of cancer metastasis. With this procedure, glucose solution is injected into the vein of the patient. Glucose molecules are labeled with a radioactive label, so their movement through the bloodstream is monitored by a PET scanner. Spinning around the patient’s body, he takes pictures. Due to the fact that cancer cells absorb glucose molecules faster than ordinary ones, their visibility in images is more distinct.
Adrenal Cancer Treatment in Israel
In adrenal cancer, surgical treatments are mainly used. Given the fact that the adrenal gland is small and also located in an inaccessible place, large scars remain after surgery. In some specialized medical centers, for example, in , to avoid this unpleasant factor, a laparoscopic operation is performed. With this surgical intervention, the scar is almost invisible, since the manipulations are carried out through small punctures in the abdominal cavity.
With pheochromocytoma, it is necessary to constantly monitor the hormones produced by the tumor before and after surgery, as well as during normalization after resection of the formation.
At , in particular adrenal cancer, the prognosis is optimistic and most patients are completely cured and return to normal.