Adrenal cancer

Adrenal Cancer

Adrenal cancer is a rare form of cancer that originates in the adrenal glands, two small glands located on top of each kidney. They produce hormones that give instructions to virtually every organ and tissue in the body.

Pronunciation

Adrenal cancer is pronounced as uh-DREEN-l KAN-ser.

Etymology

The term "adrenal" is derived from the Latin "ad" meaning "near" and "renes" meaning "kidneys". The term "cancer" comes from the Latin "cancer" meaning "crab", due to the crab-like spread of the disease in the body.

Types of Adrenal Cancer

Adrenal cancer typically occurs in the outermost layer of the glands, or the adrenal cortex. A cancerous tumor of the adrenal cortex is called an adrenocortical carcinoma. Other types of adrenal cancer include pheochromocytomas, neuroblastomas, and adrenal metastases.

Symptoms

Symptoms of adrenal cancer can include fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss, and changes in hormone levels leading to changes in body function such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or excessive hair growth.

Diagnosis

Adrenal cancer is diagnosed through a combination of physical examinations, medical history, and specialized tests such as CT scan, MRI, and biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment options for adrenal cancer can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.

Prognosis

The prognosis for adrenal cancer varies greatly and depends on the size and stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, and their response to treatment.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Adrenal cancer
Wikipedia's article - Adrenal cancer

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