Adrenal Cancer

I was wondering if anyone out there has adrenal cancer? I have had my adrenal gland removed but the surgeon wasn't able to remove traces of it around my heart, spine and liver. Although I was told that I had a pheaochromocytoma I had none of the hormonal problems? I have just completed radiation therapy.

I was diagnosed with adrenal cortical carcinoma in April of last year. I had my adrenal gland removed and my spleen. The surgeon felt the cancer was contained to my adrenal gland. The spleen was injured during the surgery and had to be removed. My follow-up care consists of blood work and catscans every 3 months. Since this kind of cancer is so rare, I am closly monitored as I am sure you will also be. I have been cancer free for a year now. I hope your treatments bring you good results. I will be praying for your complete recovery. Believe in miracles, they do happen!

Hi- I am new to this board. My mom is 78 years old. She had surgery this past January/05 to remove her adrenal gland, because of a mass found. After her surgery they did a biopsy and said the mass was contained in the gland. When the biopsy came back, they told my mother that, yes, it was a cancerous mass. She was totally surprised as the surgeon told her that this was very rare. My mom just had a scan done again in the first week of April/05, when she saw the doctor for the results, last Thursday - they delivered the most shocking news possible - the cancer had spread throughout her body in just 4 months - she has been given 3 months to live. Needless to say my brother and I are in total shock. We can't believe how this could happen, when after surgery the doctors were so sure it was contained. How do you begin to say goodbye to someone who is so important to you. We are trying to be strong for our mother, but it is very hard. I hope no one else ever has to go through this. So for everyone who has this cancer and it is treatable for you - I wish you all the best.

I am so sorry to hear of your mother's diagnosis. I will pray for your mother and your family to keep you strong. Was her tumor a large mass? The tumor on my adrenal gland was the size of a grapefruit and I was told it was a Stage 2 cancer. I would take your mother to a major cancer treatment center for a second opinion if you haven't already done so. Cancer is a very scary word, especially when you are diagnosed with one as rare as this. There are too many unanswered questions. Not a day goes by that I don't think of this cancer and then I wonder what the results of my next cat scan will be. I have two daughters in college and pray that I will stay healty long enough to see them graduate. But, we have to remember to take one day at a time. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Hi - Thank you for replying so quickly. The mass in my mother's adrenal gland was small. The surgery was in January and that's when they did a biopsy. They didn't even think it was cancer (because of it being so rare). Then they told us it was cancer and assured my mother then that it was all contained in the gland. The doctor said they couldn't do another scan for 2 months after the surgery - so we waited patiently. It is this scan that has shown that the cancer is in her abdomen and her liver and her colon and her lungs and her kidneys (all in 4 months). They have told her that it is inoperable and terminal, that the masses are to big. She hasn't gone for a second opinion and I don't think she wants one. She is trying to spend her time organizing everything so my brother and I won't have to deal with too much. She just wants to spend quality time with us. I don't know whether to suggest she try anything else, as this doctor is one of the best in the province we live in. If you have any idea's or suggestions I am more than willing to listen.

Bandittmom