Posts Tagged ‘Mitotane’

Adrenal Gland Cancer – Tests

Adrenal Gland cancer is a very rare type of cancer that is caused due to the excessive production of hormones in the adrenal gland. The condition can get fatal if not diagnosed in time and therefore one must pay attention to the symptoms and consult and expert if they think they could be suffering from adrenal cancer.
There are a number of ways to diagnose the condition and your expert will carry out necessary tests to check whether you are suffering from the disease. Below mentioned are a few diagnostic measures that doctors may adhere to while checking you for adrenal cancer.

Blood tests: Most doctors will ask you to get blood tests done to check the circulation of hormones in the body. Excessive production of certain hormones like cortisol, estrogen, aldosterone, testosterone are characteristic to the cancer and therefore blood tests serve as a good starting point.

However both malignant and benign tumors cause the over production of hormones and are not indicators of whether the tumor is malignant or benign. Therefore the tests are non conclusive and would need to be complimented with other tests to check the tumors
There are four X-Ray tests that are primarily used for the detection of a tumor in the adrenal gland:

Ultrasound: The ultrasound is most commonly used to examine one’s adrenal gland and kidneys. The ultrasound test however may not be as accurate as the CT Scan and therefore is not preferred as the best method to detect tumors. The test however can be used to detect any kind of adrenal tumor.

CT Scan: The CT Scan also known as the CAT Scan is another common way of examining whether a patient is suffering from adrenal cancer. It can be used to detect any type of adrenal tumor and is painless. The procedure is not long and only takes about 30 minutes. It is one of the most accurate ways of examining the adrenal glands for tumors. The pictures generated help in sizing up the tumors well that help in planning the treatments that should be taken up.
The scan identifies the following:
Left adrenal gland
Left Kidney
Pancreas
Spleen outline

MRI Scan: The MRI Scan is similar to the CAT Scan. It is also known as the MR Scan or the NMR Scan. The MRI scan takes about an hour to complete and deploys magnetic fields to produce pictures unlike x-ray like images that the CAT scan generates or sound waves that you get from an ultra sound.
Pheochromocytomas light up on an MRI Scan making it one of the most accurate ways of detecting adrenal tumors of any type.

MIBG Scan: The MIBG scan is used to detect the location and presence of adrenal pheochromocytomas. The test is ineffective in detecting other types of adrenal tumors.

Most doctors will utilize the above mentioned tests to examine your body for adrenal tumors. However it is essential that you seek the guidance of an expert when it comes to adrenal gland cancer as you need to ensure that the proper treatment is adhered to after the tumor is detected be it malignant or benign.
When you consult a doctor who is recognized you can be sure that you will receive the best treatment. Over and above medication and surgeries you need to pay attention to your diet and make efforts to stay healthy by indulging in physical exercise. The medication can lead you to feeling tired and lethargic and therefore you should try and fight the illness itself with your mind and try and keep a brave front. If you are willing to fight the disease it can be defeated.

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Adrenal Gland Cancer – Symptoms

Adrenal cancer is a very rare cancer in the adrenal glands. It is a malignant cancer and occurs in an aggressive kind. Adrenal cancer causes overproduction of adrenal hormones. The cause of this cancer is often unknown but in most cases it is hereditary. The tumor that may be responsible can be functioning or non functioning in nature. Functioning tumor produces excessive hormones and the non functioning type does not produce any hormones. The symptoms will vary depending on which hormones are produced excessively.
Adrenalin and non adrenalin hormones are secreted in the central part of the gland which is the medulla and other hormones like corticosteroids, ldosterone, and androgenic steroids are made in the outer part of the gland that is the cortex. The symptoms for adrenal cancer vary depending on which hormones are secreted at high levels.

Symptoms – Corticosteroids
Since the symptoms vary depending upon the hormones produced excessively, the symptoms are different for each hormone. The symptoms for excessive production of corticosteroid are:
a) Excessive fat on the top of your back
b) Loss of hair on scalp
c) Increase in body hair
d) Increase in facial hair
e) Your face may become larger
f) You may put on weight in the torso
g) You may loose your muscularity
f) You may experience muscle weakness
g) Your skin may start thinning
f) Skin tends to get bruised easily as well
g) Wounds will take longer to heal
h) Osteoporosis
i) You will be prone to infection more easily
j) you could contract Diabetes
k) There is a high chance of kidney stones
l) Mental disturbance
m) Hallucinations
n) Depression
o) Irregularities in menstrual cycle
p) Poor growth
q) Short Stature

Symptoms – androgenic steroids
a) Nervous system dysfunction
b) you may feel excessively thirsty
c) You may urinate more often
d) You may undergo certain personality changes
e) You may encounter a low potassium level
f) You may feel weak
g) You may experience a tingling sensation in the body
h) You may experience muscle spasms
i) You may also experience paralysis
j) Water retention is common
k) Increase in facial hair
l) You may become bald
m) Increase in body hair
n) Your voice may become deep
o) Muscle bulk may increase
p) Virilization
q) The size of your uterus may become small
r) Females may experience a reduction in breast size
s) Menstrual irregularities

These are the symptoms that are caused due to the excessive production of androgenic steroids and corticosteroids. However there are a few other symptoms that are characteristic of adrenal cancer too. They are:

a) You may become Obese
b) You may experience an increase of androgen level in the blood
c) The level of adrenalin will increase
d) The level of nonadrenalin will increase
e) You may suffer from high blood pressure
f) You may experience sever headaches
g) You may experience heart palpitations
h) You may have a flushed face
i) You may experience nausea
j) You may experience frequent vomiting
l) Tachycardia
m) You may encounter rapid breathing
n) Tremor
o) You may sweat more than normal
p) Emesis
q) you may get tired very quickly
r) Chest pains
s) Weight loss may occur
t) Pallor
u) Gastrointestinal motility may decrease

Mentioned above are the symptoms of adrenal cancer. It is advisable that you see a doctor if your symptoms suggest that you may have adrenal cancer. Getting help at the right time can help you get rid of the illness. If you wait too long, the cancer will spread and reduce chances of survival.

Adrenal Cancer – Treatment – Some information and details

Adrenal cancer is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the adrenal gland. It is a malignant tumor and can cause a variety of symptoms that differ depending upon the hormone that is being secreted in large quantities. When one is diagnosed with adrenal cancer it is essential that one taken on treatments that can help alleviate the stress the disease tends to cause.

Once the symptoms surface it is imperative that the patient seeks the help of an expert in the domain and carries out tests to check whether the cancer can be treated. There are a number of surgical and non surgical methods to treat this cancer and a few methods are highlighted below:

Surgical methods:
Surgery is one of the most common ways to treat the condition. It is essential that you seek the support of only the best surgeons to treat this condition as a number of pre operative measures need to be taken before one can proceed for surgery. Management of electrolyte levels and blood pressure levels need to be considered before one can be operated.

Non surgical methods:
a) Mitotane can be used to treat adrenal cancer as it helps in inhibiting the production of excessive hormones in the cortex of the adrenal gland
b) Metyrapone is also used widely to treat certain types of adrenal cancer
c) Aminoglutethamide
d) Radionuclide MIBG is used to treat medullary tumors
e) Ketaconalzole is also used to non surgically treat the condition of adrenal cancer
f) Radiotherapy – is often used for bony metasteses
g) Chemotherapy – Not may doctors are confident about the effects of chemotherapy, however it can be used to treat medullary tumors
Alternative treatments:
For those who are at the early stages of adrenal cancer there are a number of alternative treatments that you can make a part of your lifestyle to experience relief from the pain the condition may cause you. However it is always advisable to carry out these treatments under the consultation of an expert.

a) Exercise: Physical exercise is always essential, even when you are not ill. However if you have been diagnosed with adrenal cancer you should take on an exercise routine that helps your body become strong to fight the disease.

b) Stress Management: When one is diagnosed with adrenal cancer, one can get very stressed because the symptoms can be painful and stress you out. However it is essential that you stay calm during the process. You can help control your stress by following a stress management program.

c) Acupuncture: This method involves the insertion of tiny needles into one’s body. However if you do decide to experiment, ensure that you are undergoing this treatment with a trained expert.

d) Acupressure: Much like acupuncture, this technique uses pressure through massage on the same locations as in acupuncture. It is essential however that one consults an expert in the domain.

e) Massage therapy: Massage therapy can help relax the body and mind and help deal with the stress that the illness may bring.

f) Diet: In order to keep the condition contained it is essential that you follow a strict diet. Blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, broccoli, green tea, black tea, apricots, celery, artichokes, cherries, cauliflowers, corn, ground flaxseed, grape juice, watermelon, oats, olive oil, onions, peas, patatos and brown rice are a few items that should be a part of your diet.

A diet rich in the following minerals can help you gain energy and become strong as well: magnesium, calcium and zinc. Vitamins like Vitamin E, C and B Complex are advisable for good health. It is essential that one does not intake alcohol, reduce the intake of refined sugar and also follow a high fibre and low fat diet.