Adrenal tumour

nursing faculty

1. Mr , sagar m msc nsg (med surg )

2. Definition…. Adrenal tumors are cancerous or noncancerous growths on the adrenal glands. The cause of most adrenal tumors is unknown. Risk factors for adrenal tumors can include Carney complex, Li- Fraumeni syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 and neurofibromatosis type 1. Adrenal tumors may be removed surgically.

3. Cont Adrenal tumors are tumors on the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are located above the kidneys and have two parts, the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex secretes hormones including cortisol and aldosterone . The adrenal medulla produces dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine . There are different types of adrenal tumors, and they can be either cancerous or noncancerous (benign).

4. Risk factors… The cause of most adrenal tumors is unknown. Some hereditary conditions have been linked to an increased risk of developing an adrenal tumor. The hereditary conditions include: Carney complex Li- Fraumeni syndrome Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 Neurofibromatosis type 1

5. Cont… Carney complex  is a hereditary condition associated with spotty skin pigmentation; myxomas , which are benign (noncancerous) connective tissue tumors; and a number of other tumors of the endocrine (hormone-producing) glands. Tumors can be benign or cancerous.

6. Cont… Li– Fraumeni syndrome  is a rare,  autosomal dominant ,  hereditary disorder  that pre-disposes carriers to cancer development. It was named after two American physicians,  Frederick Pei Li  and  Joseph F. Fraumeni , Jr. ,  Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) is a hereditary condition associated with three primary types of tumors:  medullary thyroid cancer ,  parathyroid tumors , and pheochromocytoma . ( neuroendocrine tumor )

7. Cont… Neurofibromatosis type 1  is a condition characterized by changes in skin coloring (pigmentation) and the growth of tumors along nerves in the skin, brain, and other parts of the body. ... Some people with neurofibromatosis type 1  develop cancerous tumors that grow along nerves.

8. Clinical sign… Several signs and symptoms may be seen, including: Bruising High blood pressure Weakness High blood sugar levels  or diabetes Low potassium levels Excessive hair growth Sweating

9. Clinical sign.. Anxiety/panic attacks Osteoporosis Fat deposits on the neck Heart palpitations Increased weight or weight loss Stretch marks on the abdomen Depressed mood Nervousness

10. Diagnostic… Blood tests will be completed. A test of the cortisol levels may be done. Urine may need to be collected for 24 hours. A  biopsy  of the tumor may be completed to determine whether or not the tumor is malignant. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans may be used. Other tests may include adrenal vein sampling or a metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan. 

11. Diagnostic…… an image-guided fine needle biopsy an  ultrasound a  CT scan a  positron emission tomography (PET) scan an  MRI scan an adrenal angiography

12. Management… Hormone therapy may be required prior to or after other options, such as surgery, have been done. If the tumor is cancerous, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be needed. The tumor may be removed via  surgery .  Adrenalectomy , which involves removing the adrenal gland. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, your surgeon may also remove nearby lymph nodes and tissue.

13. Other treatment.. Mitotane ( Lysodren ) is the most common drug used in the treatment of adrenal cancer. In some cases, it’s given after surgery. It can block excessive hormone production and may help decrease the size of the tumor.

14. Complication…. If surgery is done, bleeding may occur. Also, extra stress hormones may be produced by the body. Side effects of chemotherapy include hair loss, risk for infection, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and decreased appetite. Radiation can cause  diarrhea , fatigue, nausea and skin reactions.