Adrenal Cancer Removal

Adrenal cancer is a malignant disease that develops in the adrenal glands. This pathology is rare, occurring in 1-2 cases per million people. Women are more prone to this disease, with it being twice as common in them. Adrenal cancer is capable of rapid growth and has a high metastatic potential. The causes of adrenal cancer include:

Genetic disorders
Metastasis of cancer from other organs
Chronic exposure to chemicals
Excessive ultraviolet radiation exposure
Consumption of unhealthy food
Alcohol abuse
Constant exposure to high radiation levels

Symptoms of Adrenal Gland Tumors

Adrenal gland tumors often develop asymptomatically for a long time. Typically, symptoms appear due to the intense growth of the cancer (putting pressure on surrounding organs and tissues) or excessive secretion of adrenal hormones. Symptoms may include:

Pain in the lower back
Sudden weight gain
Urinary issues
General weakness
Persistent fever
Masculinization symptoms in women (excessive hair growth, abnormal fat distribution, reduced libido, etc.)
Feminization symptoms in men (growth of breast tissue, erectile dysfunction, etc.)
Loss of appetite
Dry mouth
Apathy, depression

Adrenal gland disease in children can lead to disorders in sexual maturation.

Diagnosis of Malignant Adrenal Tumors

The diagnosis of malignant adrenal tumors begins with a consultation with a therapist or endocrinologist. During the consultation, the specialist listens to the patient's complaints, gathers medical history, and conducts an external examination. To detect the cause of the illness in detail, the doctor may recommend the following tests:

General blood and urine tests
Adrenal ultrasound
Hormonal panel tests (ACTH, testosterone, aldosterone, 17-OHP, cortisol, etc.)
CT scan of the adrenal glands and pituitary gland
MRI
Biopsy of the tumor with subsequent histological examination

Adrenal cancer is often a result of metastasis from tumors in other organs, so comprehensive health screening is crucial for identifying any accompanying conditions.

Women's health package

Women's health maxi package

Types of Surgery for Adrenal Cancer

For surgical treatment of adrenal cancer, partial or complete adrenalectomy is performed. Depending on the extent of the disease, a unilateral or bilateral adrenalectomy may be carried out. In cases of bilateral surgery, partial resection of the gland may be performed to leave some healthy tissue to maintain hormonal function.

Adrenal Tumor Removal

Surgical removal of adrenal tumors is the most common treatment method. Timely excision of malignant tissue prevents further metastasis and increases the chances of full recovery. Specialists at the "Helyos" clinic use laparoscopic methods for adrenalectomy. This procedure is considered minimally invasive and involves making small incisions in the abdomen, through which micro-instruments are inserted. The laparoscopic method minimizes damage to surrounding tissues, reduces the rehabilitation period, and lowers the risk of complications. The adrenalectomy operation consists of the following stages:

Premedication
Anesthesia administration
Positioning the patient in a lateral position
Identifying trocar puncture points (usually 3-4)
Making incisions
Clipping blood vessels
Removing the adrenal gland
Closing the puncture sites

The duration of the surgery typically ranges from 30 minutes to two hours. After the procedure, the patient is transferred to a recovery room under medical supervision. The rehabilitation period after adrenal tumor removal generally lasts 3-6 weeks. In cases of bilateral total adrenalectomy, the patient may require lifelong medication.