Adrenal Cancer
What is it?
Adrenal cancer is cancer that begins in the adrenal glands. These are small triangular glands located on top of each kidney. They are part of the system that releases hormones into the blood.
Masses or lumps found on the adrenal glands can be either cancerous or non-cancerous, as well as either functioning or non-functioning (producing hormone or not producing hormone).
The majority of adrenal tumors are non-cancerous (benign).
What are the types?
Types of cancerous (malignant) adrenal cancers include
- adrenocortical cancer
- adrenal pheochromocytoma
- paragangliomas
It's also good to know that the adrenal pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas can be non-cancerous too.
Adrenocortical
Adrenocortical cancer gets it's name because it starts in the cortex of the adrenal glands which is an outer layer that creates the important hormones that affect blood pressure, the metabolism, and how the body uses energy such as fats, carbohydrates and proteins.
70% of adrenocortical cancers are hormone producing, and 30% are not.
Adrenal pheochromycytomas & paragangliomas
Adrenal pheochromycytomas are very rare and begin in the medulla, or inner part, of the adrenal gland, while paragangliomas can start either inside or outside of the adrenal gland.
Testing & Treatment
Genetic testing can be especially interesting for adrenal cancer as certain disorders can increase your risk of developing cancer.
Treatment of adrenal cancer may include surgery to remove either one or both adrenal glands, chemotherapy, radiation, and oral hormone mediation to regulate your hormone levels that may be unbalanced from cancer or from other treatments such as surgery.
What is it?
Adrenal cancer is cancer that begins in the adrenal glands. These are small triangular glands located on top of each kidney. They are part of the system that releases hormones into the blood.
Masses or lumps found on the adrenal glands can be either cancerous or non-cancerous, as well as either functioning or non-functioning (producing hormone or not producing hormone).
The majority of adrenal tumors are non-cancerous (benign).
What are the types?
Types of cancerous (malignant) adrenal cancers include
- adrenocortical cancer
- adrenal pheochromocytoma
- paragangliomas
It's also good to know that the adrenal pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas can be non-cancerous too.
Adrenocortical
Adrenocortical cancer gets it's name because it starts in the cortex of the adrenal glands which is an outer layer that creates the important hormones that affect blood pressure, the metabolism, and how the body uses energy such as fats, carbohydrates and proteins.
70% of adrenocortical cancers are hormone producing, and 30% are not.
Adrenal pheochromycytomas & paragangliomas
Adrenal pheochromycytomas are very rare and begin in the medulla, or inner part, of the adrenal gland, while paragangliomas can start either inside or outside of the adrenal gland.
Testing & Treatment
Genetic testing can be especially interesting for adrenal cancer as certain disorders can increase your risk of developing cancer.
Treatment of adrenal cancer may include surgery to remove either one or both adrenal glands, chemotherapy, radiation, and oral hormone mediation to regulate your hormone levels that may be unbalanced from cancer or from other treatments such as surgery.
Symptom list:
Adrenal Cancer
Financial support
Not all of us are able to afford the treatment we need. Search your insurance coverage, or check out what charities may be able to offer you for your condition.
p.s. Just because you have insurance, that doesn't mean that charities or other organizations are not able to support you too.
Emotional support
Whether it's a free counseling session or to find someone with a similar diagnosis, these Germie approved charities might be able to help. Click to explore their offerings!
