Adrenal Cancer or Adrenal Tumor

Adrenal glands are paired glands located in the upper edge of each of the kidneys. They produce hormones that release into the blood, maintain blood pressure and respond to stress.

Adrenal cancer refers to rare types of cancer. In its majority, the tumor of the adrenal glands 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 tumor that develop from the medulla are:

• Pheochromocytoma is a very rare tumor, the incidence of this formation is about ten percent;
• Neuroblastoma is a type of malignant formation that occurs mainly in children.

Adrenal Cancer - Symptoms

The most prominent signs of the disease include Cushing's syndrome, which is characterized by the following manifestations:

• Weak muscles of the upper parts of the legs and hands;
• Strengthen the growth of hair on the body and face in women;
• Fat deposits in the trunk region, especially in the occiput;
• Skin thinness.

It is also often accompanied by the development of diabetes.

This symptomatology can be seen as a benign form of adrenal cancer, and malignant. In any case, when identifying such phenomena, it is worth immediately contacting a doctor for help.

Since pheochroctoma produces substances that affect blood pressure and respond to a stressful situation, it can manifest itself in the form of a wide variety of symptoms, in particular:

• Sharp mood swings ;
• Fainting;
• Headache;
• Constant thirst;
• Intensive sweating;
• Increased heart rate;
• Tingling in the chest ;
• Frequent urge to urinate.

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 reaching the mark of 40-50 years.

Endocrine multiple tumors - can be inherited. They lead to the risk of developing cancers in the pancreas and parathyroid zone , as well as in the pituitary gland. Some patients may also develop an oncology of the adrenal cortex, which usually occurs asymptomatically.

However, the cancer of the adrenal cortex in most cases is not inherited. The Lee-Fraumeni syndrome refers to rare events when the risk of adrenal cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer increases.

The development of oncology of the adrenal cortex is not affected by the environmental factor, lifestyle, bad habits, which have a significant effect in the manifestations of other different forms of cancer.

Adrenal Cancer - Diagnosis

• Blood tests (biochemical, measurement of estrogen and testosterone levels);
• Collecting anamnesis of the patient and physiological examination - you can learn about the general condition of the patient, the presence of seals and lymph node enlargement;
• Urinalysis - is conducted to determine the extent of 17-ketosteroids and cortisol in a 24-hour urine collection. An increase in the hormonal level may indicate the presence of adrenal cancer;
• CT (Computed Tomography) - X-ray study, which consists in creating three-dimensional images of the patient's internal organs, which are displayed on the computer screen;
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a diagnostic method in which a computer and magnetic fields are applied. This helps doctors get a clearer image of organs and tissues. If an adrenal cancer is suspected, MRI of the abdominal cavity is done;
• Angiography of the adrenal glands is a method of radiographic examination of blood vessels, which are located near the adrenal glands. It is the introduction of contrast substances into the adrenal arteries. To be spent, with the purpose to find out, whether there are disturbances in work of a hemopoietic system;
• PET (positron emission tomography) - determines the degree of cancer metastasis. In this procedure, the glucose solution is injected into the patient's vein. Glucose molecules are labeled with a radioactive label, so their movement along the bloodstream is monitored by a PET scanner. Rotating around the patient's body, he takes pictures. Due to the fact that cancer cells absorb glucose molecules faster than normal cells, their visibility on images is more distinct.

Treatment of adrenal cancer in Israel

In adrenal cancer, surgical methods of treatment are mainly used. Given the fact that the adrenal gland is small, besides being inaccessible place, after the operation there are large scars. In some specialized medical centers, for example, in the clinic "Asaf-ha-Rofe", to avoid this unpleasant factor, a laparoscopic operation is performed. In this surgery, the scar is almost invisible, since manipulations are carried out by means of small punctures in the abdominal cavity.

With pheochromocytoma, the hormones produced by the tumor must be constantly monitored before and after the operation, and also during normalization after resection of the formation.

In the treatment of cancer in Israel, in particular adrenal cancer, the predictions are optimistic and most patients are completely cured and return to normal.