Adrenal Carcinoma

Adrenal cancer, sometimes referred to as adrenal carcinoma, is a rare type of cancer that forms in one or both of the adrenal glands, the small, triangular glands located on top of the kidneys. 

Symptoms of adrenal cancer may include: weight gain; muscle weakness; pink or purple stretch marks on the skin; and hormone changes that might cause excess facial hair, hair loss, and irregular periods in women and enlarged breast tissue and shrinking testicles in men.

Specialists in the GW Cancer Center’s Urologic Oncology Program use the newest technology to diagnose and treat adrenal cancer based on each individual’s needs.

Specialty Care for Adrenal Cancer

The urologic oncology specialists at the GW Cancer Center guide you through diagnosis and treatment of adrenal cancer. Every patient has different needs so we offer therapies that will result in the best possible outcomes for each individual.

Our program offers a clinic where patients can meet with several specialists in a single visit. Using advanced screening options, our specialists work together to accurately diagnose adrenal cancer. We then create a treatment plan that will deliver the best results. Treatments may include participation in life-saving clinical trials.

Adrenal Cancer Program Information

Collaborative Care

• Patient navigators support patients who have been diagnosed with adrenal cancer. Navigators steer patients through the process. They even help them with the financial aspects of a cancer diagnosis, such as working with insurers.
• We offer a multidisciplinary clinic where patients can conveniently interact with several specialists in one visit. Our team works together to provide an accurate diagnosis and to create the best treatment plan.

Clinical Research

Patients in clinical trials benefit from the latest developments in the field.

GW Cancer Center partners with these organizations to offer clinical trials for patients with Adrenal cancer:

• The Genitourinary Multidisciplinary D.C. Regional Oncology Project (GUMDROP)
• The National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)

Advanced Diagnosis and Treatment

GW Cancer Center offers specialized screening and treatment for Adrenal cancer.

• Depending upon your diagnosis and the size of the tumor, a minimally invasive surgical procedure may be available. 
• Patients diagnosed with adrenal cancer may receive advanced treatment options including surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.

Leading Edge Technology

Our highly-advanced medical technology allows physicians to employ many of the latest medical treatment techniques, such as Image-Guided Radiation Therapy and the da Vinci® surgical robot for minimally invasive surgery. These advancements offer:

• Pinpoint accuracy and precision for diagnosing and treating cancers 
• Quicker delivery for more comfortable treatments
• The ability to deliver a prescribed dose of radiation from any angle thanks to the system's rotation around the patient
• Real-time imaging tools that allow clinicians to “see” the tumor they are about to treat