Adrenal Cancer Recurrence

Adrenal cancer recurrence is on the minds of most survivors after they complete treatment. Recurrent cancer is cancer that has come back after several months or years of remission. Adrenal cancer can come back in the same adrenal gland (if it was not fully removed), the other adrenal gland or elsewhere in the body. Many patients do not experience an adrenal cancer recurrence, but for those who do, there are a number of treatment options that can be used to target recurrent tumors.

In some cases, an adrenal cancer recurrence causes the same symptoms as the initial tumor; other times, a recurrence can cause different complications or no symptoms at all. As a result, adrenal cancer survivors are typically scheduled for regular examinations and imaging scans after the end of their first round of treatment. As is the case with primary tumors, recurrent tumors are often eligible for a wider range of treatment options when they are detected before they start to spread.

How is adrenal cancer recurrence treated?

If an adrenal cancer recurrence occurs, a patient’s oncologist may recommend any of the following treatments:

• Chemotherapy, using either a stronger dose of the same medication used to treat the primary tumor, or a different medication
• Surgery, provided that the recurrent tumor has not spread to distant organs
• Radiation therapy, often combined with one or both of the other potential treatments

Some patients who are experiencing an adrenal cancer recurrence can also consider clinical trials, through which they can access a broad range of treatments that are not yet offered in other settings. For instance, some clinical trials test new chemotherapy medications or minimally invasive surgical techniques, while others branch into new fields, such as immunotherapy. As one of the nation’s top cancer research organizations, Moffitt Cancer Center offers patients a vast spectrum of opportunities to access the best treatment options for their unique needs.

To learn more about the individualized treatments we offer to patients with an adrenal cancer recurrence, call 1-888-663-3488 or submit a new patient registration form online. We welcome physician referrals, but they are never required.