Adrenal Gland Cancer Health Video

Video Transcript

SUSAN MCGLADERRY, BM, BCH, MRCP: Hello. My name is Dr. Susan McGladerry. I'm the medical director from the FirstMed Centers in Budapest, Hungary and I'm going to try to give you some information about adrenal gland cancer. The adrenal glands are triangle-shaped endocrine hormone-producing glands located one above each kidney. Adrenal gland cancer is an uncommon cancer arising in these glands. The cancer may arise from the cortex or outer part of the gland, or from the medulla or inner part. Adrenal cancers may secrete hormones and present with specific syndromes of hormone excess due to the hormone produced, for example, Cushing's syndrome and pheochromocytoma. Adrenal cortical cancer arises from the cortex of the adrenal gland. This tumor can occur in both children and in adults. It occurs in children typically less than six years of age and is more common in girls than boys. In children, often there are sings of virilization, this means the development of male sexual characteristics in a female child. Fortunately, around 2/3 of the children with adrenal cancer are cured by tumor removal. In adults, the tumor commonly presents between the ages of 40 and 50 years. Around 70% of patients present with symptoms of excess secretion of adrenal hormones and this results in classic symptoms and signs of Cushing's syndrome characterized by rapid weight gain, atypical moon-like face and high blood pressure. In contrast to children, adrenal cortex tumors in adults are usually more advanced at the time of diagnosis. Aggressive surgical removal of the cancer is the preferred treatment. Cancer of the adrenal medulla may produce excess of something known as catecholamines. These are the stress hormones, epinephrine or adrenaline. Tumors of the adrenal medulla are known as pheochromocytomas. When there is excess hormone production, patients present with flushing, high blood pressure, and palpitations. 80% of these adrenal medulla tumors are benign or 20% are malignant. Treatment is by the surgical removal of the tumor. It's important to carry out close long-term surveillance after removal of the pheochromocytoma, and recurrences are possible from this kind of cancer so close long term followup is important.