Metastases to the adrenal glands

The adrenal glands are a frequent site of metastasis of many malignant diseases. These focal changes mostly do not produce hormones, but can cause pain or affect adrenal function. It is important to distinguish metastasis from the primary tumor of the adrenal gland.

What are metastases to the adrenal glands?

  • Secondary tumorscaused by the spread of another cancer (e.g. lung, breast, kidney, colon, or melanoma)
  • The adrenal glands are a frequent site of disability due to the abundant vascular supply
  • Mostly they occur in patients who have a known oncological diagnosis

How do they manifest themselves?

  • They often do without symptoms and revealed randomly on imaging examination (e.g. CT, MR, PET)
  • In some patients, pain in the back or side
  • At bilateral disability there may be a decrease in cortisol production and the development of so-called adrenal insufficiency (fatigue, weight loss, low blood pressure)

Diagnostics

  • Imaging examination — CT/MR, PET (18F-FDG) helps determine the nature and extent of the lesion
  • Biochemical tests — assesses adrenal function (cortisol, aldosterone, etc.)
  • Biopsy — in selected cases it is possible to perform a thin needle puncture under CT control to confirm the diagnosis (e.g. if it is not clear whether it is metastasis, primary tumor or other disease)

Not sure how to proceed?

Every health problem has its own context. If you are hesitant about what is best for you, arrange a consultation. Our doctors will walk you through the situation and recommend a course of action that makes sense — professionally, sensitively, without unnecessary stress.

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Treatment options

  • It depends on the type of primary tumor, its sensitivity to treatment and the general condition of the patient
  • Surgical removal — possible in solitary metastases or in patients with controlled underlying disease
  • Systemic oncology treatment — e.g. chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted treatment
  • Radiotherapy — in selected cases for pain relief or for contraindications to surgery

What we offer to patients

  • Prompt provision of necessary examinations (imaging, laboratory tests)
  • Consultation with an oncologist and endocrinologist for further procedure
  • Coordination with other centers in case of need of specialized treatment
  • Care even in case of development of adrenal insufficiency — education and substitution setting

Other diseases

Very rare adrenal tumors

Very rare adrenal tumors

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Adrenal tumors in children

Adrenal tumors in children

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Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas

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