Adrenal Tumors - Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

There are several different types of cancer which may spread and reach the adrenal glands, the most common being lung cancers, melanomas and breast cancers. Cancers arising directly from the adrenal cortex are called adrenal cortical cancers. The common adrenal cortical cancers are functioning adrenal cortical cancers while non-functioning cancers are less common. Both adenomas and cancers can produce excessive steroids.

The causes leading to adrenal cortical cancers are unknown in general. The patients suffering from adrenal cortex cancer are divided into 4 stages with the final stage including the cancer spreading to other parts of the body. The treatment is usually chemotherapy with the most common type being mitotane. Mitotane blocks the hormonal production of the cancer and can thus kill adrenal cancer cells due to inactivity.

Radiation therapy is not associated with the routine management of adrenal cancers, as usually, the cancer is completely cured through curative surgery.