Adrenal Gland TumorLast Updated: August 12, 2011 This section has been reviewed and approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 08/11 Overview
About the adrenal glands Each person has two adrenal glands—one located on top of each of the body’s two kidneys. These glands are important to the body’s endocrine (hormonal) system. Each adrenal gland has two main parts that function separately: Adrenal cortex. The outer part of the adrenal gland is called the cortex. The adrenal cortex makes three main hormones: cortisol, aldosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). These hormones carefully control metabolism and body characteristics, such as hair growth and body shape. Adrenal medulla. The gland’s inner part is called the medulla. The adrenal medulla makes other hormones: epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These hormones control the body’s responses to stress, including the “fight or flight” adrenaline surge. Types of adrenal gland tumors A tumor begins when normal cells change and grow uncontrollably, forming a mass. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body). An adrenal gland tumor can sometimes overproduce hormones. When it does, the tumor is called a functioning tumor. An adrenal gland tumor that does not produce hormones is called a nonfunctioning tumor. A tumor can start in an adrenal gland (called a primary adrenal tumor), or it can begin in another organ, such as the lungs, and then metastasize (spread) to the adrenal glands. The symptoms and treatment of an adrenal gland tumor depend on whether the tumor is functioning or nonfunctioning, what hormone(s) is overproduced, and whether the tumor is a primary adrenal gland tumor or a metastases from cancer of another organ. This section focuses on primary adrenal gland tumors, which include the following: Adenoma. Adenoma is the most common type of adrenal gland tumor, making up the majority of all adrenal gland tumors. It is a noncancerous, nonfunctioning tumor of the adrenal cortex. Also called an adrenocortical adenoma, this tumor usually does not cause symptoms and, if it is small, often does not need treatment. Adrenocortical carcinoma. Although rare, the most common type of cancerous adrenal gland tumor begins in the cortex and is called adrenocortical carcinoma, or adrenal cortical carcinoma. Approximately four to 12 out of one million people develop this type of tumor. Adrenocortical carcinoma can be a functioning or nonfunctioning tumor; if the tumor is functioning, it may produce more than one hormone. Neuroblastoma. This is a type of childhood cancer that can begin in the adrenal medulla. Learn more about childhood neuroblastoma. Pheochromocytoma. This type of cancerous neuroendocrine tumor most often begins in the adrenal medulla. Learn more about pheochromocytoma. Find out more about basic terms used in this section. Statistics
A primary adrenal gland tumor is very uncommon, and exact statistics are not available for this type of tumor in the United States. It is estimated that approximately 300 adults in the United States are diagnosed each year with adrenal cortical cancer. This type of cancer is much less common than an adrenal adenoma, a benign tumor that is more common for middle-age and older adults. The average age of a person diagnosed with an adrenal gland tumor is between 45 and 50; however, these tumors can occur at any age. More women than men tend to be diagnosed with adrenal gland tumors. Statistics should be interpreted with caution. These estimates are based on data from thousands of people with this type of tumor in the United States, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a person how long he or she will live with an adrenal gland tumor. Statistics adapted from the American Cancer Society. Risk Factors
A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing a tumor. Although risk factors can influence the development of a tumor, most do not directly cause the tumor. Some people with several risk factors never develop a tumor, while others with no known risk factors do. However, knowing your risk factors and talking about them with your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health care choices. The cause of most cancerous adrenal cortical carcinomas is not known. However, people with certain hereditary conditions—such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, and Carney Complex—have a higher risk of developing an adrenal gland tumor. People who have a high risk of developing an adrenal gland tumor because of family history should be examined and evaluated yearly by their doctor. Symptoms and Signs
People with an adrenal gland tumor may experience the following symptoms or signs. Sometimes, people with an adrenal gland tumor do not show any of these symptoms. Or, these symptoms may be caused by a medical condition that is not a tumor. If you are concerned about a symptom or sign on this list, please talk with your doctor.
In addition, pheochromocytoma may cause dangerous surges of the adrenal gland hormones that regulate blood pressure and response to stress. A hormonal surge can cause blood pressure to increase very quickly, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, hemorrhage, or sudden death. Your doctor will ask you questions about the symptoms you are experiencing to help find out the cause of the problem, called a diagnosis. This may include how long you’ve been experiencing the symptom(s) and how often. If cancer is diagnosed, relieving symptoms and side effects remains an important part of cancer care and treatment. This may also be called symptom management, palliative care, or supportive care. Be sure to talk with your health care team about symptoms you experience, including any new symptoms or a change in symptoms. Diagnosis
Doctors use many tests to diagnose a tumor, find out if it is cancerous, and if so, whether it has metastasized. Some tests may also determine which treatments may be the most effective. To diagnose an adrenal gland tumor, blood and urine tests (see below) are done to look for certain substances that may indicate that cancer is present. If there is no evidence that the cancer has spread to the adrenal gland from another part of the body, the diagnosis can be made with a computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan (see below). Imaging tests may also be used to find out whether the cancer has metastasized. Your doctor may consider these factors when choosing a diagnostic test:
In addition to a physical examination, the following tests may be used to diagnose an adrenal gland tumor: Blood and urine tests. Blood tests can measure the amounts of natural hormones, such as catecholamines and metanephrines, produced during stress, which can detect a functional tumor. A patient may be asked to take a pill on the evening before the blood and urine tests, which helps detect the normal suppression of production of the hormone cortisol. A 24-hour urine sample, which requires the collection of all urine during that timeframe for laboratory testing, may also be needed. This helps the doctor track how quickly various hormones are produced. Tell your doctor about any medications that you take, even over-the-counter drugs, because this information is needed to correctly interpret the results. Biopsy. A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. For an adrenal tumor, a narrow, hollow needle is used to collect the tissue; this is called a fine needle biopsy or fine needle aspiration. If the doctor suspects adrenal cancer, a biopsy of the adrenal gland is not recommended because it could help the cancer to spread. However, if the doctor suspects that cancer has spread to the adrenal gland from another area of the body where the cancer started, a biopsy may be done to determine the type of cancer, which can help the doctor plan treatment. The biopsy is performed by a radiologist who uses specialized imaging procedures, such as at CT or MRI (see below) to direct the needle The sample removed during the biopsy is analyzed by a pathologist (a doctor who specializes in interpreting laboratory tests and evaluating cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose disease). Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan. A CT scan creates a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body with an x-ray machine. A computer then combines these images into a detailed, cross-sectional view that shows any abnormalities or tumors. Sometimes, a contrast medium (a special dye) is injected into a patient’s vein to provide better detail. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses magnetic fields, not x-rays, to produce detailed images of the body. A contrast medium is injected into a patient’s vein to provide better detail. Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan. MIBG is a chemical similar to adrenaline that will collect in a neuroendocrine tumor. A MIBG scan can show a tumor of the adrenal medulla that may not appear in an x-ray. The scan takes place over two consecutive days. On the first day, an injection of MIBG is given in the arm. Several hours later, pictures are taken with a special camera that can detect if or where in the body the MIBG has collected. The following morning, more pictures are taken, and the process may be repeated if needed. After these diagnostic tests are done, your doctor will review all of the results with you. If the diagnosis is cancer, these results also help the doctor describe the cancer; this is called staging. Learn more about the first steps to take after a diagnosis of cancer. Learn more about what to expect when having common tests, procedures, and scans. Staging
Staging is a way of describing a tumor, such as where it is located, if it is cancerous, if or where it has spread, and whether it is affecting the functions of other organs in the body. Doctors use diagnostic tests to determine the tumor’s stage, so staging may not be complete until all of the tests, or even the surgical removal of the tumor or adrenal gland, are finished. Knowing the stage helps the doctor to decide what kind of treatment is best and can help predict a patient’s prognosis (chance of recovery). There are different stage descriptions for different types of cancer. This section covers the standard staging system for adrenocortical carcinoma. One tool that doctors use to describe the stage is the TNM system. This system judges three factors: the tumor itself, the lymph nodes around the tumor, and whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body. The results are combined to determine the stage of cancer for each person. There are four stages for adrenocortical carcinoma: stages I through IV (one through four). The stage provides a common way of describing the cancer, so doctors can work together to plan the best treatments. TNM is an abbreviation for tumor (T), node (N), and metastasis (M). Doctors look at these three factors to determine the stage of cancer:
Tumor. Using the TNM system, the "T" plus a letter or number (0 to 4) is used to describe the size and location of the tumor. Some stages are also divided into smaller groups that help describe the tumor in even more detail. Specific tumor stage information is listed below. TX: The primary tumor cannot be evaluated. T0: There is no primary tumor. T1: The tumor is 5 centimeters (cm) or less and has not grown outside of the adrenal gland. T2: The tumor is larger than 5 cm and has not grown outside of the adrenal gland. T3: The tumor is any size, and it has grown into the area around the adrenal gland but not to nearby organs. T4: The tumor is any size and has grown into nearby organs, such as the kidney; diaphragm (the thin muscle under the lungs and heart that separates the chest from the abdomen); larger blood vessels, called the aorta and the vena cava; pancreas; spleen; and liver. Node. The “N” in the TNM staging system stands for lymph nodes, the tiny, bean-shaped organs that help fight infection. Lymph nodes near the site of the cancer are called regional lymph nodes. Lymph nodes in other parts of the body are called distant lymph nodes. NX: The regional lymph nodes cannot be evaluated. N0 (N plus zero): The cancer has not spread to the regional lymph nodes. N1: The cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes. Distant metastasis. The “M” in the TNM system indicates whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. M0 (M plus zero): The cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. M1: The cancer has spread to other parts of the body beyond the nearby organs. Cancer stage grouping Doctors assign the stage of the cancer by combining the T, N, and M classifications. Stage I: The tumor is 5 cm or less and has not grown beyond the adrenal gland or spread to regional lymph nodes or other parts of the body (T1, N0, M0). Stage II: The tumor is larger than 5 cm. It has not grown beyond the adrenal gland or spread to regional lymph nodes or other parts of the body (T2, N0, M0). Stage III: The tumor is described by the following:
Stage IV: The tumor is described by the following:
Recurrent: Recurrent cancer is cancer that comes back after treatment. If there is a recurrence, the cancer may need to be staged again (re-staging) using the system above. Used with permission of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), Chicago, Illinois. The original source for this material is the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, Seventh Edition (2010), published by Springer-Verlag New York, www.cancerstaging.net. Treatment
This section outlines treatments that are the standard of care (the best proven treatments available) for this specific type of tumor. When making treatment plan decisions, patients are also encouraged to consider clinical trials as an option. A clinical trial is a research study to test a new treatment to evaluate whether it is safe, effective, and possibly better than standard treatment. Your doctor can help you review all treatment options. For more information, visit the Clinical Trials and Current Research sections. Treatment overview For an adrenal gland tumor, different types of doctors often work together to create a patient’s overall treatment plan that combines different types of treatments. This is called a multidisciplinary team. Descriptions of the most common treatment options for an adrenal gland tumor are listed below. Treatment options and recommendations depend on several factors, including the type and stage of the tumor, possible side effects, and the patient’s preferences and overall health. Learn more about making treatment decisions. In addition, some adrenal gland tumors may be due to specific genetic changes in a person. Up to 25% of adrenal tumors may be linked to a genetic syndrome (see Risk Factors). When planning treatment, it may be helpful to consult a genetic counselor to learn whether the tumor is associated with a specific syndrome and whether other family members should undergo specific genetic tests. Learn more about genetic testing. Surgery Surgery is the removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue during an operation. Adrenalectomy, which is the surgical removal of the adrenal gland with the tumor, may be needed to treat an adrenal gland tumor. A surgical endocrinologist is a surgeon who specializes in treating an endocrine tumor using surgery. If the tumor is smaller than 5 cm and, based on size or the way it looks on imaging scans, shows no evidence that it is cancerous, then laparoscopic surgery may be possible. Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique in which a surgeon uses a lighted, flexible, tube instrument and makes small incisions in the skin; the technique minimizes pain and post-operative recovery time compared with traditional incisions. It may be performed from the abdomen or back, depending on the location of the tumor and the experience of the surgeon. However, if the tumor is possibly cancerous or larger than 5 cm to 6 cm, surgery using one large incision in the abdomen or back is recommended. If the patient previously had abdominal surgery, an incision in the back may be easier. Surgery is the main treatment for a pheochromocytoma. Learn more about treatment for a neuroendocrine tumor. If the surgery is performed laparoscopically, the person can usually leave the hospital in two to three days and resume daily activities within a week. If a larger incision is needed, then the person is usually hospitalized for up to five to seven days and should not lift heavy objects for six weeks after surgery. Adrenal surgery can cause bleeding. The tumor can also make excess catecholamines (stress hormones, and the patient will need to be monitored and receive medication to treat high blood pressure during surgery. Learn more about surgery. Medical therapy Because adrenal gland tumors may produce excess hormones, the doctor may prescribe various medications to control the levels of these hormones before, during, or after other treatments. For example, if the tumor is producing excess catecholamines, the patient may need a drug to lower the levels of these body chemicals before additional treatment can be given. Or, after surgery, a patient may need medication to block the effects of excess cortisol, a natural steroid that may be produced by the tumor. These drugs include spironolactone (Aldactone), metyrapone (Metopirone), metyrosine (Demser), and streptozin (Zanosar). Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill tumor cells, usually by stopping the cells’ ability to grow and divide. Systemic chemotherapy is delivered through the bloodstream to reach tumor cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy is given by a medical oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating a tumor with medication. A chemotherapy regimen (schedule) usually consists of a specific number of cycles given over a set period of time. A patient may receive one drug at a time or combinations of different drugs at the same time. Mitotane (Lysodren) is a medication used to treat cancer in the adrenal cortex. It reduces the amount of adrenocorticoids produced by the adrenal cortex. The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual and the dose used, but they can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. These side effects usually go away once treatment is finished. Learn more about chemotherapy and preparing for treatment. The medications used to treat cancer are continually being evaluated. Talking with your doctor is often the best way to learn about the medications prescribed for you, their purpose, and their potential side effects or interactions with other medications. Learn more about your prescriptions by using searchable drug databases. Radiation therapy Radiation therapy is the use of high energy x-rays or other particles to kill tumor cells. A doctor who specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat a tumor is called a radiation oncologist. The most common type of radiation treatment is called external-beam radiation therapy, which is radiation given from a machine outside the body. When radiation treatment is given using implants, it is called internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy. A radiation therapy regimen (schedule) usually consists of a specific number of treatments given over a set period of time. Learn more about radiation therapy. Side effects from radiation therapy may include fatigue, mild skin reactions, upset stomach, and loose bowel movements. Most side effects go away soon after treatment is finished. Recurrent adrenal gland tumor Once your treatment is complete and there is a remission (absence of symptoms; also called “no evidence of disease” or NED), talk with your doctor about the possibility of the tumor returning. Many survivors feel worried or anxious that the tumor will come back. Learn more about coping with this fear. If the tumor does return after the original treatment, it is called a recurrent tumor. It may come back in the same place (called a local recurrence), nearby (regional recurrence), or in another place (distant recurrence). When this occurs, a cycle of testing will begin again to learn as much as possible about the recurrence. After testing is done, you and your doctor will talk about your treatment options. Often the treatment plan will include the therapies described above (such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy) but may be used in a different combination or given at a different pace. Your doctor may also suggest clinical trials that are studying new ways to treat this type of recurrent tumor. People with a recurrent adrenal gland tumor often experience emotions such as disbelief or fear. Patients are encouraged to talk with their health care team about these feelings and ask about support services to help them cope. Learn more about dealing with recurrence. Metastatic adrenal gland tumor If cancer has spread to another location in the body, it is called metastatic cancer. Patients with this diagnosis are encouraged to talk with doctors who are experienced in treating this stage of cancer, because there can be different opinions about the best treatment plan. Learn more about seeking a second opinion before starting treatment, so you are comfortable with the treatment plan chosen. This discussion may include clinical trials studying new treatments. Your health care team may recommend a treatment plan that includes a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In addition to treatment to slow, stop, or eliminate the cancer (also called disease-directed treatment), an important part of cancer care is relieving a person’s symptoms and side effects. It includes supporting the patient with his or her physical, emotional, and social needs, an approach called palliative or supportive care. People often receive disease-directed therapy and treatment to ease symptoms at the same time. If disease-directed treatment is not successful, this may also be called advanced cancer. This diagnosis is stressful, and it may be difficult to discuss. However, it is important to have open and honest conversations with your doctor and health care team to express your feelings, preferences, and concerns. The health care team is there to help, and many team members have special skills, experience, and knowledge to support patients and their families. Learn more about advanced cancer care planning. Find out more about common terms used during treatment. About Clinical Trials
Doctors and scientists are always looking for better ways to treat patients with an adrenal gland tumor. To make scientific advances, doctors create research studies involving people, called clinical trials. Many clinical trials are focused on new treatments, evaluating whether a new treatment is safe, effective, and possibly better than the current (standard) treatment. These types of studies evaluate new drugs, different combinations of existing treatments, new approaches to radiation therapy or surgery, and new methods of treatment. Patients who participate in clinical trials are often among the first to receive new treatments before they are widely available. However, there is no guarantee that the new treatment will be safe, effective, or better than a standard treatment. There are also clinical trials that study new ways to ease symptoms and side effects during treatment and managing the late effects that may occur after treatment. Talk with your doctor about clinical trials regarding side effects. In addition, there are ongoing studies about ways to prevent the disease. Patients decide to participate in clinical trials for many reasons. For some patients, a clinical trial is the best treatment option available. Because standard treatments are not perfect, patients are often willing to face the added uncertainty of a clinical trial in the hope of a better result. Other patients volunteer for clinical trials because they know that these studies are the only way to make progress in treating adrenal gland tumors. Even if they do not benefit directly from the clinical trial, their participation may benefit future patients with an adrenal gland tumor. Sometimes people have concerns that, by participating in a clinical trial, they may receive no treatment by being given a placebo or a “sugar pill.” The use of placebos in cancer clinical trials is rare. When a placebo is used in a study, it is done with the full knowledge of the participants. Find out more about placebos in cancer clinical trials. To join a clinical trial, patients must participate in a process known as informed consent. During informed consent, the doctor should list all of the patient’s options, so that the person understands how the new treatment differs from the standard treatment. The doctor must also list all of the risks of the new treatment, which may or may not be different from the risks of standard treatment. Finally, the doctor must explain what will be required of each patient in order to participate in the clinical trial, including the number of doctor visits, tests, and the schedule of treatment. Learn more about clinical trials, including patient safety, phases of a clinical trial, deciding to participate in a clinical trial, questions to ask the research team, and links to links to find clinical trials. For specific topics being studied for adrenal gland tumors, learn more in the Current Research section. Patients who participate in a clinical trial may stop participating at any time for any personal or medical reason. This may include that the new treatment is not working or there are serious side effects. It is important that patients participating in a clinical trial talk with their doctor and researchers about who will be providing their treatment and care during the clinical trial, after the clinical trials ends, and/or if the patient chooses to leave the clinical trial before it ends. Side Effects
A tumor and its treatment can cause a variety of side effects. However, doctors have made major strides in recent years in reducing pain, nausea and vomiting, and other physical side effects of treatments. Many treatments used today are less intensive but as effective as treatments used in the past. Doctors also have many ways to provide relief to patients when such side effects occur. Fear of treatment side effects is common after a diagnosis of a tumor, but it may be helpful to know that preventing and controlling side effects is a major focus of your health care team. Before treatment begins, talk with your doctor about possible side effects of the specific treatments you will be receiving. The specific side effects that can occur depend on a variety of factors, including the type of tumor, its location, the individual treatment plan (including the length and dosage of treatment), and your overall health. Common side effects for each treatment option are described in detail within the Treatment section. Ask your doctor which side effects are most likely to happen (and which are not), when side effects are likely to occur, and how they will be addressed by the health care team. Also, be sure to communicate with your doctor about side effects you experience during and after treatment. Care of a patient’s symptoms and side effects is an important part of a person’s overall treatment plan; this is called palliative or supportive care. It helps people with cancer at any stage of illness be as comfortable as possible. Learn more about the most common side effects of cancer and different treatments, along with ways to prevent or control them. Be sure to talk with your doctor about the level of caregiving you may need during treatment and recovery, as family members and friends often play an important role in the care of a person with an adrenal gland tumor. Learn more about caregiving. In addition to physical side effects, there may be psychosocial (emotional and social) effects as well. For many patients, a diagnosis of an adrenal gland tumor is stressful and can bring difficult emotions. Patients and their families are encouraged to share their feelings with a member of their health care team, who can help with coping strategies. Learn more about the importance of addressing such needs, including concerns about managing the cost of your care. A side effect that occurs more than five years after treatment is called a late effect. Treatment of late effects is an important part of survivorship care. Learn more about late effects or long-term side effects by reading the After Treatment section or talking with your doctor. After Treatment
After treatment for an adrenal gland tumor ends, talk with your doctor about developing a follow-up care plan. This plan may include regular physical examinations and/or medical tests to monitor your recovery for the coming months and years. If the adrenal gland that did not have the tumor is still functional after surgery, it should be able to provide enough of the hormones needed by the body. Sometimes, a person needs hormone replacement therapy (such as steroids) because the body can’t produce enough hormones. Over time, the person often can decrease the dosage and even stop taking the hormone replacement drug. An endocrinologist (a doctor who specializes in problems of the endocrine system) should carefully monitor this process. The endocrine system is a complex collection of hormone-producing glands that control many essential functions. If both adrenal glands have been removed, long-term medication is needed to replace the hormones normally produced by these glands, and you should wear a medical-alert bracelet to inform caregivers of your condition in case you ever become sick or unconscious and are unable to do so. Follow-up care may include imaging scans and blood/urine tests every year. For some people with an adrenal gland tumor, the risk of developing a tumor in the other gland is 10% or higher. Because of this, people treated for an adrenal gland tumor may need regular check-ups with an endocrinologist to monitor recovery and detect any new tumor growth. In particular, adrenal cortical carcinoma can grow and spread quickly. Because it is rare, a person may want to enroll in a clinical trial at a medical center with experience treating and monitoring this type of cancer. ASCO offers treatment summary forms to help keep track of the treatment you received and develop a survivorship care plan once treatment is complete. People recovering from an adrenal gland tumor are encouraged to follow established guidelines for good health, such as maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, eating a balanced diet, and having recommended cancer screening tests. Talk with your doctor to develop a plan that is best for your needs. Moderate physical activity can help rebuild your strength and energy level. Your doctor can help you create an appropriate exercise plan based upon your needs, physical abilities, and fitness level. Learn more about the next steps to take in survivorship, including making positive lifestyle changes. Find out more about common terms used after treatment is complete. Current Research
Doctors are working to learn more about adrenal gland tumors, ways to prevent them, how to best treat them, and how to provide the best care to people diagnosed with them. The following areas of research may include new options for patients through clinical trials. Always talk with your doctor about the diagnostic and treatment options best for you. Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy (also called biologic therapy) is designed to boost the body's natural defenses to fight a tumor. It uses materials made either by the body or in a laboratory to bolster, target, or restore immune system function. The effectiveness of immunotherapy as a treatment for an adrenal gland tumor is being researched in clinical trials.Learn more about immunotherapy. Supportive care. Clinical trials are underway to find better ways of reducing symptoms and side effects of current adrenal gland tumor treatments, in order to improve patients’ comfort and quality of life. Molecular markers. Studies analyzing the role of genes and proteins in a person’s tumor are underway. The focus of these studies is to help fine-tune the diagnosis and predict treatment results. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) tumors. SDH is a specialized protein that plays an important role in the body’s metabolism. Researchers think that when this gene is inactivated, it results in cancer, including tumors of the adrenal gland. Learn more about common statistical terms used in cancer research. To find clinical trials specific to your diagnosis, talk with your doctor or search online clinical trial databases now. Questions to Ask the Doctor
Talking often with the doctor is important to make informed decisions about your health care. These suggested questions are a starting point to help you learn more about your cancer care and treatment. You are also encouraged to ask additional questions that are important to you.
Patient Information Resources
In addition to Cancer.Net, there are other sources of information about this type of tumor available online. Cancer.Net maintains a list of national, not-for-profit organizations that may be helpful in finding additional information, services, and support. As always, be sure to talk with your doctor about questions you may have about information you find about this disease. View organizations that offer information on this specific type of tumor. |
