Surgery and Other Procedures for Adrenal Cancer

The main treatment for adrenal cancer is removal of the adrenal gland, an operation called an adrenalectomy. The surgeon will try to remove as much of the cancer as possible, including any areas of cancer spread. If nearby lymph nodes are enlarged, they also will need to be removed and checked for cancer spread.

Adrenal cancers can be removed in either an open surgery or minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery. The risks and benefits of each option should be discussed with your cancer care team.

For more information on neuroblastoma, see Surgery for Neuroblastoma.

Open surgery for adrenal cancer

In an open surgery, the surgeon makes a cut through the front of the abdomen. This lets them see the tumor clearly and might make it easier to see if it has spread. It also gives the surgeon room to remove a large cancer that has grown into tissues and organs near the adrenal gland.

Minimally invasive surgery for adrenal cancer

In minimally invasive surgery, the surgeon makes several small cuts in the abdomen or back. A thin, lighted tube with a tiny camera (called a laparoscope) and small surgical tools are inserted through these cuts. The camera lets the surgeon see inside and remove the tumor.

Minimally invasive surgery may not always be an option, depending on the extent of your tumor and other factors.

Possible risks and side effects of surgery

The risks from surgery depend on the type of tumor, location of the tumor, the operation needed, and the person’s health at the time of surgery. Speak to your surgeon about specific surgical risks.

Serious complications, although rare, can include:

• Problems with anesthesia
• Excess bleeding
• Infections
• Damage to blood vessels, kidneys or other organs, or nerves

Most people have some pain after the procedure, but this can be treated with medication if needed.

Your medical team will take special precautions if you have a pheochromocytoma. The hormones these tumors make can increase the risks of surgery. But certain medications and close monitoring during surgery lower these risks.

Other nonsurgical procedures for adrenal tumors

Procedures called ablation and embolization might be options for adrenal tumors that cannot be removed with surgery.

Ablation

Ablation uses extreme temperatures, radio waves or chemicals to destroy tumors.

Because ablation can destroy some healthy tissue, it might not be a good option for treating tumors near important structures, such as major blood vessels.

Possible side effects

Possible side effects after ablation therapy include abdominal (belly) pain, infection in the abdomen, and bleeding into the abdomen. Serious complications are uncommon, but they can happen.

Embolization

Embolization is a procedure that blocks or reduces blood flow to cancer cells. It might be an option if your tumor can’t be removed with surgery or a metastasis (an area of cancer spread) is causing symptoms.

Possible side effects

Possible side effects after embolization include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, infection in the abdomen, and blood clots.

Serious complications are not common, but they are possible.

More information about surgery

For more general information about surgery as a treatment for cancer, see Cancer Surgery.

To learn about some of the side effects listed here and how to manage them, see Managing Cancer-related Side Effects.