Adrenal Gland Tumor Treatment in Anchorage, AK

Adrenal Cancer Treatment in Anchorage, Alaska

Your adrenal glands (located above the kidneys) play a vital role in producing hormones that regulate your immune system, metabolism, blood pressure, and other essential functions. However, if your adrenal glands begin to grow abnormally and form a tumor, this is a sign of adrenal cancer.

Types of Adrenal Gland Tumors

Adrenal glands have two parts: the medulla and the cortex. The type of adrenal cancer depends on the part of the adrenal gland that develops a tumor.

• Pheochromocytoma- This is a rare, noncancerous tumor that forms in the central part of the medulla due to the abnormal growth of adrenaline-producing cells.
• Adrenocortical Carcinoma/ Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma (ACC)/ Adrenal Cortex Cancer- This begins in the outer layer of the cortex and goes undetected until the tumor becomes large (5 to 6 centimeters).
• Neuroblastoma- This develops from nerve cells in the fetus, usually affecting infants and children under ten years of age.

Adrenal Cancer Symptoms

Common symptoms of adrenal cancer include:

• Hormonal changes in men (resulting in enlarged breast tissue and shrinking of testicles)
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Fever
• Hormonal changes in women (causing irregular periods and hair loss)
• Abdominal bloating
• Back pain
• Loss of appetite or feeling full as a result of the tumor pressing against the abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle weakness

Treatment Options for Adrenal Cancer at Far North Surgery

At Far North Surgery, we can treat adrenal cancer with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. These treatment options can be used in combination or separately depending on the stage of cancer. For more advanced forms of adrenal cancer, we resort to chemotherapy combined with surgery to destroy cancer cells and prevent them from growing and spreading.

• Option 1: Surgery

  Adrenalectomy is the surgical method of removing adrenal glands/tumors, which can be performed in two ways:

  • Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy

    Several small incisions would be made on the side of the abdomen to insert a laparoscope through. Then, surgical instruments through the other incisions would remove the tumor or diseased adrenal gland. However, this procedure does not help remove large tumors.

  • Open Adrenalectomy

    This procedure is only performed if there are large tumors or if laparoscopic adrenalectomy is not an option. A single, large incision would be made across the abdomen to remove the adrenal tumor. We would also inspect and remove nearby organs if the cancer has spread to them.

• Option 2: Radiation Therapy

  High-energy X-ray beams would be used to kill cancer cells and reduce other related symptoms, including pain.

• Option 3: Interventional Radiology

  Involves image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat cancer. This is performed using small catheters, needles, and other minimally invasive tools. In some cases, we may perform this procedure as an alternative to open surgery because of reduced pain and complications and quicker recovery time it provides.

• Option 4: Chemotherapy

  Chemotherapy drugs will be administered intravenously or orally to destroy cancer cells and stop their growth.

Why Choose Us for Adrenal Tumor Treatment?

Far North Surgery, one of the best surgical oncology centers in Anchorage, Alaska, provides personalized and comprehensive treatment options for adrenal cancer. Our surgical oncologist, Dr. Madhu Prasad, has several decades of expertise to diagnose and treat adrenal cancer successfully.

We follow a holistic approach to treating adrenal cancer with the latest surgical equipment and advanced surgical procedures, ensuring technical excellence and exceptional patient care.

To learn more about adrenal cancer treatment options in Anchorage, Alaska, contact us today.