Adrenal Cancer

[Dianita]

June 2007 CT Scan showed an enlargement of the left adrenal gland, measuring 30 x 29 mm (compared to 19 x 16 mm in May 2006. Radiologist says "the mass has a bizarre appearance, not typical for adenoma (benign tumor). I cannot exclude metastatic disease or a adrenal primary"

New development: strong hot flashes even though I had my menopausia 2 years ago, and in a surgery I've been removed utherus and ovary, the latter responsible for hot flashes.

I am not scared of dying, but really would like to know what the problem is.

I am a very lonely person, and would very much appreciate your commentsw.

Thank you !

Diana

[UroDoc]

Cat scan can't always tell what is going on, so if a radiologist isn't sure they will often say they can't rule out the worse case scenario, in this case cancer or metastatic disease, in order to cover themselves. The fact that they said it look bizarre means it doesn't look like any thing they normally see like cancer so it maybe something non cancerous like inflammation. The biopsy should help figure out what is going on and has low risks. You might want to ask if another test like MR, http://www.radiologychannel.net/magneticresonance/ ,may shed more light on what is going on prior to the biopsy. Stay strong and good luck.

[Dianita]

Dear UroDoctor,

Thank you very much for your comments.

My oncologist before leaving on vacation, she ordered a biopsy of the left adrenal, and an urine test (an MVA or an MAV ?). I had the urine test on July 23, but my oncologist says she didn't receive the results yet. I've been reading about the two sorts of adrenal cancer in your website, and I think, I'm pretty sure that I have a Phaeochromocytoma since your website mentions as symptom of Phaeochromocytoma a Heavy sweating, and this is the new development I have had for the last 2 weeks. In my first post you can read that I mentioned having like "hot flashes, even though my menopausia ended 2 years ago.
Besides end of october 2004, a gynecological oncologist operated on me. I had a dermoyd cyst on the ovaries plus two tumor factors that were very high: CEA and Alphaphytoproteine. He removed my dermoyd cyst, my ovaries and utherus.

Every CT Scan shows the left adrenal gland much larger, and my 2 tumor factors keep on rising.

Besides, even though my oncologist returned from her holidays, I think she forgot me.

As I said, I'm not scared of dying, but I'm probably TOO impatient, and would like to feel I am followed and taken care of.

UroDoctor: Are you an Urologist ?

According to your website "There is only 1 diagnosed of Phaeochromocytoma for every 100,000 people in the UK each year." Well, I am Argentinian, living in Montreal, Canada

Thank you so much for your comments. Even if you presented me the worst scenario, your comments comfort me, because they make me feel less lonely.

Thank you !

Diana

[UroDoc]

You live in a great city. Being in Canada with a different medical system than ours , with different and longer times to access it which explains your impatience. Your doing a great job taking care of yourself by becoming an informed patient. Given the tests that were ordered and your symptoms you may have a pheochromocytoma. That is good news since it can be surgically removed, sometimes by using a laproscope. The only comment that I have is if they think you have a pheochromocytoma I would not be in a rush to biopsy it since manipulating a pheochromocytoma can cause a quick and sometime devastating increase in blood pressure which they would need to be able to treat immediately.By the way I am a Urologist. Good luck

[Dianita]

Dear UroDoctor,

Searching on your website, and because of the heavy sweating sympton, I concluded I have a pheochromocytoma.

My oncologist decided to make me a Biopsy because of the result of the CT Scan. But she didn't tell me that I could have a pheochromocytoma or a cortical adrenal carcinoma. HOW CAN I TELL HER: I think I have a pheochromocytoma, so YOU SHOULD NOT DO A BIOPSY since manipulating a pheochromocytoma can cause a quick and sometime devastating increase in blood pressure which they would need to be able to treat immediately.

I suppose that if I tell her that, she would tell me, I am not anymore your oncologist, you are telling me you are more qualified than I am, so take care of yourself.

PLEASE GIVE ME AN ADVICE because I think my oncologist have a bad character and I think she doesn't care about me. I think that if the urine test results are STILL not received by her, and she remains silent, I will ask for a referral to another oncologist for the second time (First oncologist wanted simply to remove the adrenal. He could not read a CT Scan on a computer, he didn't bother to know if I had a cancer, and if that was the primary or a metastasis. That is why I asked for a referral) This female oncologist is more qualified, but I think she doesn't give a damn about me.

Thank you so much for your help !

I'll be awaiting your very valuable advice.

Keep well.

Diana

[UroDoc]

Give your oncologist a chance, ask about the results of teh urine tests, if they are positive then a pheochromocytoma is a real possibility. Ask her what are teh chances of your having a pheochromocytoma.
Ask her about teh riskd of a biopsy. You could get/seek out a surgical opinion. Good luck

[Dianita]

Dear UroDoc,

Thank you so much for everything.

I will definitely follow your advice.

And I will keep you posted.

Again, thank you !

Diana

[Dianita]

Dear UroDoc,

Today I was phoned by the secretary to my oncologist to tell me that my oncologist wants to see me tomorrow at 3 pm.

I don't know if the appointment is to tell me that I have Phaeochromocytoma, or if it is to give an order and a date for the Biopsy.

I printed our posts, and if she intends to do me a Biopsy, I'll show her your post on the danger of a Biopsy if I have a Phaeochromocytoma.

PLEASE EXPECT MY NEWS TOMORROW EVENING.

Thank you so much ! I feel comforted by your support !

Best regards,

Diana

[UroDoc]

Good luck

[Dianita]

Dear UroDoc:

I believed she would inform me about the urine test, and about having Phaeochromocytoma.

My oncologist (female) simply wanted to see me to refer me to an endocrinologist.
I had one information about the urine test, which has adrenalin (epinephrine)( and noradrenalin (norepinepohrine). So I asked her, that means that I have Phaeochromocytoma ? She said, I might have but it's not sure. I told her about the danger of a biopsy, and she said she knows it and that is why she is not sending me to a biopsy.

She said she won't see me again. She said the endocrinologist would decide if he will do further tests or not, and decide if to remove the adrenal gland or not. SHE DOESN'T LIKE ME and I DON'T LIKE HER, so in part I'm happy that I won't see her over again.

You know which was her excuse (FOR GETTING RID OF ME AND SENDING ME TO AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST ?! If I have Phaeochromocytoma, that's not cancer, it is removed and it's the end of it. As an oncologist she takes care of REAL CANCERS, as breast cancer, etc.

Please, as a qualified urologist, answer me these 2 questions?
!) She said: "If I have Phaeochromocytoma, that's not cancer, it is removed and it's the end of it. " IS SHE RIGHT ? Your website mentions 2 types of Adrenal Cancer: The Cortex Adrenal Carcinoma (which comes from the inner layer of the adrenal) and the Medular Adrenal Gland Cancer or Phaeochromocytoma. IS SHE RIGHT THAT IF I HAVE PHAEOCHROMOCYTOMA, IT'S NOTHING, IT IS REMOVED AND IT'S THE END OF IT ?

2) She is getting rid of me, and referring me to an endocrinologist:
Is an endocrinologist the qualified professional in my case?

I also told her my GP told me a urine test showed I have blood in my urine that could not be seen on CT Scans. My GP sent her a note to inform her and to ask her if she wished to do further exams (a tube that I'm put in my bladder ?). She told me she didn't pay attention to the note, because it has nothing to do with oncology.

SHE ABANDONED ME, AND I WONDER WHETHER AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST IS QUALIFIED IN MY CASE

My only family in Canada and worldwide is my brother, but I do not speak with him about this matter. He already has too many problems.

So, you are the only person with whom I look for a relief, a support and a comfort.

I am so grateful for all your support !

Thank you so much !

God bless you !

Diana