exponentially cancer, they usually cause different changes. These formations are the outer layer of the adrenal gland called the "adrenocortical tumors, which may be associated with Cushing's syndrome. From the adrenal medulla (medulla) can develop two types of tumors - neuroblastoma, affecting mostly children, and pheochromocytoma, and the tase cancers account for only about 10% of these entities.
Manifestations
most dramatic manifestation of this type of cancer is Cushing's syndrome, characterized by some changes in the body: fat deposits on the tasnk, especially on the back of the neck, muscle weakness, upper arms and legs and thinning of the skin. Women may grow facial hair and male pattern body. It is also possible the development of diabetes. These symptoms occur in cancer and the adrenal gland, and regardless of their benign or malignant, the best method of treatment, of course, is to remove the tumor.
pheochromocytomas produce substances that affect blood pressure and stress responses, so that they can cause a variety of symptoms such as sudden onset of sweating, loss of consciousness, discomfort in the chest, heart palpitations, headaches, mood changes , thirst and increased urination. These tumors aremorecommon among middle-aged persons.
Studies
clinical picture in itself allows the physician to accurately determine in which layer of the adrenal gland - the cortical or medullary - is likely to have violations. This affects the choice of research: for example, a suspected tumor of the cortical layer is necessary to measure blood levels of hormones produced by the pituitary gland, which regulates the function of the adrenal gland (high level indicates that the defeat of the pituitary and adrenal glands do not). Regardless of the type of the tumor, CT scanning can identify which of the two glands is increased, thus, may need to examine the abdominal cavity and to identify possible involvement in the process of cancer of the liver or lungs. Radioisotope bone scan useful if there are signs ofmorewidespread disease. Sometimes the tumor does not produce hormones, and in this case it is easier to detect when it is large enough and causes different symptoms in the abdomen (discomfort, feeling of heaviness, pain, back pain and even swelling, which can easily probe). Such a picture is not typical for a pheochromocytoma, but may be observed in very rare tumors of the outer layer of the adrenal glands.
Treatment
In most patients, the tumor can be surgically removed. Although iron is low, it is difficult to obtain, so the patient must be aware that after surgery he will remain a scar larger than that in his opinion, it would be necessary. In the case of pheochromocytoma effect of hormones produced by the tumor must be very carefully monitored both before and during surgery and the period of stabilization after tumor resection to monitor blood pressure, with the introduction of additional fluid into the vein enough. Pheochromocytoma associated with metayodbenzilguanidinom (MIBG), which can be joined with a radioactive isotope. When injected into a vein isotope penetrates into the tumor and can cause death of a sufficient number of cells to alleviate symptoms and even reduce the size of the metastases.
In very rare cases when there was a spread of cancerous lesions of cortical layer in the remote areas of the body, chemotherapy may temporarily help mitotan approximately 25% of treated patients. Side effects include mitotana loss of appetite, nausea and sometimes diarrhea. Also frequently observed lethargy and drowsiness, whereas skin changes and dizziness observed less frequently. Chemotherapy is also sometimes gives good results.