How is adrenal carcinoma (cancer) treated?
Adrenal carcinomas (cancer) can be cured if removed early. Unfortunately, they are usually discovered after they have already spread beyond the adrenal gland and are then not curable. Chemotherapy and other medicines are often used to try to control the tumor but do not cure it. The excess cortisol production can be controlled with chemotherapy or by other medications like those mentioned for ectopic ACTH production: metyrapone, aminoglutethimide and ketoconazole. These medicines can be used to treat any form of inoperable or incurable Cushing’s Syndrome, including Cushing’s disease, but they can have serious side effects and require very careful monitoring and balancing with steroid hormone replacement therapies. Surgical cure of the primary cause of the Cushing’s Syndrome is always the best, if possible. Written by: Paul Margulies, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.E. Medical Director of NADF Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College and posted at http://www.me
