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.

How is Leukemia diagnosed ?

Leukemia can be diagnosed with a variety of tests, and understanding what each test is and what it looks for can make the tests a little less confusing. Doctors sometimes find leukemia after a routine blood test. If you have symptoms that suggest leukemia, your doctor will try to find out what’s causing the problems. Your doctor may ask about your personal and family medical history.

- Physical Examination
An exam is much like any doctor’s appointment; the doctor will take a detailed medical history and thoroughly examine the whole body.
- Blood Tests
To diagnose leukemia, a number of blood tests are performed. These tests are used to evaluate the type and quantity of blood cells that are present, the blood chemistry, and other factors.
- Full blood count
It is used to establish the numbers of different blood cell types in the circulation. A low number of red or white blood cells is described as anemia or leukopenia, respectively.
- Bone Marrow Biopsy
A biopsy takes a small sample of bone marrow tissue from the body. The doctor asks the patient to lie on his or her side and nurses clean the biopsy site with iodine or alcohol. After the site is cleaned, the biopsy site is numbed with a local anesthetic. The doctor uses either a very fine needle to draw out only bone marrow tissue, or a thicker needle to take a small sample of bone and bone marrow. The bone marrow sample is examined under a microscope to check for leukemia cells.
- Cytogenetics
It is a newer type of testing for leukemia. Cytogenetic testing uses a sample taken from a blood draw or a bone marrow or lymph node biopsy. The sample’s chromosomes are microscopically examined for abnormalities that indicate damage to the cells’ DNA.
- Spinal tap
The doctor uses a long, thin needle to remove fluid from the lower spine. The procedure takes about 30 minutes and is performed with local anesthesia. You must lie flat for several hours afterward to keep from getting a headache.
- Chest x-ray
An x-ray can show swollen lymph nodes or other signs of disease in your chest.
- CT scan of the head, chest, and belly, to find out whether leukemia has spread there.
- Lumbar puncture is to find out whether leukemia cells are in your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- Differential blood count (DBC)
It is used to determine the relative proportion of blood cell types within the bloodstream. In particular, the percentage of immature leukemic “blast” cells is noted.
- Hematocrit assay
It is used to determine the proportion of the blood that is occupied by erythrocytes (red blood cells). In adult men, normal is about 46% (39.8–52.2) and in adult women, it is about 40.9% (34.9–46.9).