Cancerous Adrenal Gland

Anyone out there that had no involvement from the lymph glands, but the adrenal gland was cancerous. Since the adrenals send into the blood, what are the chances that a fully involved adrenal would have sent forth seeds to other areas of the body already? My husbands kidney carcinoma had spread to the adrenal gland. He had surgery two weeks ago to remove the kidney and the adrenal.

Jeanne P.

Dear Jeanne,

Blood goes through kidneys, too. You should be sure that your husband sees a doctor that has experience in treating kidney cancer patients; kidney cancer is relatively rare and many doctors do not have this experience. You might want to join the KIDNEY-ONC email list (see http://cancerguide.org/kofaq/ ); it is likely that you will find a person who has been in your husband's situation. You can find an doctor with experience in treating kidney cancer patients from the KIDNEY-ONC list or from the Kidney Cancer Association (800-850-9132).

You also might like to get a copy of your husband's path report so you know exactly what type of kidney cancer you are dealing with.

Trish: Thank you for your response. After I had written that, we were referred to the Providence Cancer Center in Portland, Oregon and a Kidney Cancer Specialist. My husband had undergone two CAT Scans and an MRI of the areas most likely to have been affected by seeding. At the time of our appointment there was absolutely zero indicators in the body that the cancer had spread (as yet). We will be monitored every three months with follow up Scans and MRI's, but in the words of the Doctor in Portland, 'at this point, there is no cancer growth showing anywhere'. We just have to be alert to changes and getting on with and enjoying whatever quality time we have left.

Sounds like the news is good so far. You should know that renal cell carcinoma sometimes has a nasty habit of returning many years after surgery to remove the kidney. When it does come back after many years, it is likely to come back in only one or two places, and can ususally be treated successfully by surgery. Follow-up, though it does not need to be as frequent after some time has passed without a recurrence, should be life long, and not stop after five years as is done with other cancers. My sister has gone 11 years without a recurrence.

Just an update. Last week his doctor took him off of glucaphage (metformin) for his diabetes and almost INSTANTLY he was feeling better (after 9 1/2 weeks). He is now eating regular meals, and doing moderate activity and no more pain or nausea. If you are sick out there, and for no apparent reason, question your doctor about the pills you are taking of the combination thereof... Your 'symptoms' may be due to meds you no longer need or can tolerate.