Treatment

The treatment of an adrenal gland tumor depends on the size and location of the tumor, if it is cancerous, whether the cancer has spread, and the patient’s overall health. In many cases, a team of doctors will work with the patient to determine the best treatment plan.

This section outlines treatments that are the standard of care (the best treatments available) for this specific type of cancer. Patients are also encouraged to consider clinical trials when making treatment plan decisions. A clinical trial is a research study to test a new treatment to prove 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 section.

Surgery

Adrenalectomy, which is the surgical removal of the adrenal gland with the tumor, may be necessary. If the tumor is smaller than 5 centimeters (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 operates with small telescopes and long instruments. This may be performed from the abdomen or back, depending on the location of the tumor and the skill of the surgeon. However, if the tumor is larger than 5 cm to 6 cm or possibly cancerous, 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 mostly used to remove a pheochromocytoma: for more information, see the treatment section of the Cancer.Net Guide to Neuroendocrine Tumor.

Adrenal surgery can cause bleeding. Also, the tumor can make excess cortisol, or stress hormone, and the patient will need to be monitored and receive medication to treat high blood pressure during surgery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Systemic chemotherapy is delivered through the bloodstream, targeting cancer cells throughout the body. Mitotane (Lysodren) is a medication that is used to treat cancer that affects 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 can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. These side effects usually go away once treatment is finished.

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 through Cancer.Net’s Drug Information Resources, which provides links to searchable drug databases.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells. 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.

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.

To learn about the terms used in this section, read the Cancer.Net Feature: Cancer Terms to Know: During Treatment.