Adrenal Cancer

Question: how do i tell if my ferret has adrenal cancer? I have had my two ferret's Tippy and Macy for about 1 &1/2 years, i know adrenal cancer is very common in MARSHALL ferrets, and Macy is slowly loosing hair on her tail. I dont know if loosing her hair could be a cause of the other ferret or a sign on adrenal cancer. Granted, i have been very worried about the ferrets, ever since i first heard about the cancer, I could be over reacting, but I dont want to take any chances.

Answer: This article was taken from the "The Pet Ferret Owner's Manual" Adrenal gland tumours are common in ferrets over 4 years old. The normal adrenal gland contains several types of cells that produce different hormones, such as cortisone and some male and female hormones. Excessive amounts of female hormones are often produced by adrenal gland tumours. There are no blood tests that absolutely prove that a ferret has an adrenal gland tumour, because the hormones and their effects are so variable. Palpation, radiography, and ultrasonography are used to identify an enlarged adrenal gland. The enlargement may be caused by hyperplasia (normal cells proliferating at an unusual rate), or by a benign or malignant tumour. Possible cause of adrenal gland tumours Early spaying or neutering. It has been suggested that spaying and neutering 6- to 7-week-old ferrets induces adrenal gland tumours. The theory is that the adrenal glands of animals spayed or neutered very young might try to compensate for the lack of normal sex hormones by proliferation of cells that produce sex hormones. However, many ferrets spayed or neutered when much older have developed adrenal gland tumours, and occasionally animals that have not been spayed or neutered also have adrenal gland tumours. Individual people and animals are more susceptible to some types of cancer than others. Some ferret families may be especially susceptible to adrenal gland cancer. It is likely that more than one factor determines any ferret's susceptibility to adrenal gland abnormalities. Early spaying or neutering is certainly not the whole answer. (The disease was uncommon in the hunting ferrets that were their ancestors, and is still rare in animals that live outside, as they tend to do in the UK and in Australia. The incidence of adrenal gland problems is increasing in the UK as pet ferrets begin to share their owners' homes instead of living in the back garden. Extended photoperiod. It is possible that the incidence of adrenal gland cancer has increased because we have forced our ferrets to adapt to our life style. Ferrets are strongly affected by photoperiod. Under natural conditions, there are only about 8 hours of strong light a day in the winter months, and the proportions of light and dark gradually change during the spring and fall. We have removed all these stimuli when we keep the ferret in a house where electric lights extend day length to at least 12 hours, all year round. Changing photoperiod causes the ferret to lose weight and hair in the spring, and come into breeding condition. In the fall, as the hours of light decrease, ferrets stop breeding, grow a heavy winter coat, and put on extra fat to prepare for the cold weather. A primitive part of the brain called the pineal gland mediates the ferret's response to light. The pineal gland produces a hormone called melatonin only during hours of darkness. Melatonin reduces the output of gonadotrophins from the pituitary gland. Gonadotrophins bind to cells in the ovary or testicle, inducing production of sex hormones. The same gonadotrophins also bind to cells in the adrenal gland. When ovaries and testicles are removed, these gonadotrophins can bind only to adrenal cortical cells. It is possible that constant stimulation of the adrenal glands because of the long hours of light eventually causes first benign hyperplasia (enlargement), and then benign tumours to develop in the adrenal cortex. In some animals, the tumours become malignant or are malignant from the outset. Whether the condition is hypertrophy, a benign tumour, or cancer, excessive levels of adrenal cortical hormones are produced. Hyperplasia may be corrected if the ferret is put in a place where the light can be limited to 8 hours a day, and the ferret's hair starts to regrow 3 to 6 weeks after the change. By definition, tumour cells are out of control, and modifying photoperiod cannot reverse hair loss when any type of tumour is producing sex hormones. People want their ferrets to be awake and playing in the evening when they come home from work, so the ferret is exposed to natural light all day, and artificial light in the evening. The obvious way to limit the ferret's exposure to 8 hours of light a day, without preventing him from interacting with his family, is to give him a dark place to sleep during the day. It has to be really dark, excluding all light, like a moonless night.) This might be arranged by putting the ferret's cage inside a well-ventilated closet, or using light-excluding drapes on the windows in the ferret's room. Reducing the ferret's exposure to light usually results in an improvement in coat condition and an increase in body weight a few weeks after the new arrangement - these responses show that the original photoperiod was too long. Providing short days only during the winter months is sufficient, as this mimics the natural seasonal variation in day length. In a survey of about 300 ferrets performed in the Chicago area in the early '90's, the lowest incidence of adrenal gland tumours was found in ferrets used for breeding, and these animals must have been housed under short photoperiod at least part of the year or they would not have been productive. The association between adrenal gland tumours and artificial light conditions cannot be ignored. About 47% of unspayed jills left in heat too long may develop bone marrow hypoplasia and die, but under natural light conditions, a high percentage of all ferrets spayed at any age develop adrenal tumours. Modifying your home to provide a more natural photoperiod in the winter is a simple thing compared to any of the alternatives once a ferret is diagnosed with an adrenal gland tumour. Signs that a ferret has an adrenal tumour Sometimes weight loss, hair loss, and itching for no apparent reason, are the only early signs of adrenal cancer in either a male or female ferret. Intact hobs with adrenal tumours might have permanently enlarged testicles but will be sterile. The first sign noticed by the owner of a spayed female with an adrenal gland tumour is often the sudden appearance of a swollen vulva, as if she were in heat. Causes of hyperestrogenism in jills There are two common reasons for jills coming in heat long after they have been spayed. A mistake made during the spay surgery is not one of them. A jill spayed incompletely as a kit comes in heat at 4 to 6 months old, depending on the hours of light each day, the same as if she were not spayed at all. 1. Ectopic ovarian tissue. Occasionally ovarian tissue grows at the site of the spay surgery, or elsewhere in the abdomen. It is not regrowth of an ovary, it is new tissue that functions like an ovarian follicle, producing oestrogen. This may happen years after the spay, for unknown reasons. If the jill is left in heat a long time, she can suffer the same side effects as with a normal oestrus, including loss of hair and suppression of bone marrow. Surgical removal of the abnormal tissue immediately ends the oestrus and its side effects. Injectable hormones, that work well on normal jills in heat, do not always work on jills with ectopic ovarian tissue. 2. Adrenal gland tumours. Exploratory surgery may be necessary to distinguish jills with adrenal gland tumours from those with ectopic ovarian tissue. It is possible for a jill to have both problems at once. Prognosis for ferrets with adrenal gland tumours If left untreated, ferrets with adrenal gland tumours usually lose all but the hair on their heads and a tuft on the tail tip. Their skin gets very thin, they have a pot-bellied appearance, and they sleep most of the time. Fortunately, although they have an odd appearance with almost no fur on their bodies, ferrets with benign adrenal gland tumours can live a reasonably normal life, if they do not become anaemic due to high levels of oestrogen. Jills often appear to be in heat, and because this is associated with a swollen and open vulva, they are susceptible to urinary tract infections. Neutered or intact male ferrets may develop life-threatening urinary obstruction because high hormone levels cause the prostate gland to hypertrophy (enlarge) and constrict the neck of the bladder. The most effective treatment is to surgically remove the abnormal adrenal gland. This is the only choice to relieve prostate hypertrophy, which it does within 48 hours. The adrenal glands produce many important substances required for life. If there are tumours on both glands, one can be removed, but part of the second one must remain, even if it means leaving part of the tumour there, too. New techniques using cryosurgery have made removal of an adrenal gland a safer procedure, and most ferrets recover uneventfully. Mitotane (Lysodren) is a drug that reduces the amount of hormone being produced by a benign inoperable tumour, extending the quality life time of the ferret. Other drugs used in humans are being tried in ferrets. Some tumours are malignant and do not respond to Lysodren or other treatments. They metastasize to other organs or recur after removal. Ferrets with malignant tumours have a short life expectancy after diagnosis. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=11&cat=1292&articleid=522 --------------------------------------... My first ferret came along in the late 50's and none of the ferrets I had have ever developed adrenal tumours, heart disease, or insulinoma. I now have 14 ferrets that are kept outside in natural light and fed on raw red meat, poultry and offal The bits in ( ) is what I have been saying for years, but these so called experts here in the UK have poo pooed my ideas and made out that I have no idea what I am talking about, so why is it now happening that people in the Scandinavian countries and Western Europe are now in the situation of not altering their ferrets since adrenal tumours, heart disease and insulinoma are so common in altered USA ferrets

Question: What is the prognosis of stage IV colon cancer that spread to adrenal gland? My friend has been through chemo already, had portion of colon removed, and had spot on liver and lungs. All of this was taken care of and now she has a new tumor on her adrenal gland

Answer: Stage 4 generally means the primary cancer has spread to distant areas of the body. Stage 4 is the least curable stage of cancer. Never give up hope. Although a cancer may not be totally cured, it can be held back by chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy-depending on the exact type of cancer and where tumors are. Ask your friend to consult with her physician and cancer specialist-oncologist. As the adrenal gland is an endocrine gland-she may also wish to consult with an endocrinologist-but first have here see her cancer specialist-oncologist for such a referral.

Question: How long can I expect my sister to live, she has Stage IV colon, lung, liver, adrenal gland cancer & small int

Answer: A close relative of mine was diagnosed with colon cancer, adenocarcinoma, spread through five different organs. He chose to not have any treatment and he lived about four months before passing away. all the best to your family

Question: What can a family member/caretaker expect to encounter in caring for an end stage lung/adrenal cancer patient?

Answer: You need hospice to help you through this time. The patient will need a lot of pain medication more than likely, and they can give it without having to ask a doctor every time. Patients with end stage cancer, can develop dementia with brain mets, bone pain from mets. organ failure, etc... They may not be able to eat, and you may have to make a decision about a feeding tube. The patient may lose control of bladder and bowel. They may end up not being themselves, or they may be fine until the day they die, every one is different. My suggestion is if there are young ones, let them see the patient now while they are still ok.. you don't want their last memories of them.... altered.

Question: has anyone had Kidney and adrenal glands cancer? my husband had his left kidney and both his adrenal glands removed due to cancer and right now he seems to be ok but I would like to ask anyone who has had it done ,how they feel?

Answer: Everybody is different and will feel different after this surgery. You should talk to him about it, he may seem ok, but he might just be putting on a brave face about it, just be there for him as best you can.

Question: Is there a cure for cancer of the adrenal glands?? My friends daughter has just been diagnosed with this at the age of 42. She has swollen up with water retention to such a degree that her skin on her feet and legs has split, and has been given morphine. Does anyone know if she has a chance? Thanks to everyone who answered and tried so hard to help. Maureen died yesterday at 4.35 pm.

Answer: hard to believe they are not draining water from her. I would suggest a new doctor. Can she live? Why would she want to? Would you want to, under these circumstances? If she is on morphine....this is the last effort. I hate to tell you this. but. Once you start morphine, you can NOT stop it. The doctors already know her outcome. Thats why she is on it. I truely am sorry.

Question: Cancer & Adrenal Gland? A tumor was found in my dad's lung, and he is getting tested for cancer tomorrow. He had a consoltation with the doctor, and the doctor said he was concerned about his adrenal gland, that it looked swollen, and the cancer could have gotten to it as well i guess. My dad then asked if they were going to operate on his lung to remove the tumor, and the doctors response was quote 'If it has gotten to your adrenal gland, there is no point in operating on your lung'. I don't know much about adrenal glands, but i did a search for questions, and came to find a few that stated they were getting one of their adrenal glands removed. Is it possible that my dad will be alright if he does have cancer there? If so, why would the doctor say such a horrible thing??? Please give me any information you know as i am very worried about him.

Answer: If your Dad's has cancer it may not be lung cancer,it may have spread there from somewhere else.The only way to know what kind of cancer, is to have a biopsy.My wife has kidney cancer that had spread to both adrenal glands,lungs and other places.I hope this is not the case with your Dad,but if it is it's not an automatic death sentence.My wife is still going strong after 4.5 years.

Question: Adrenal Gland CAncer? How long is the hospital recovery for Adrenal Gland cancer?

Answer: I guess it all depends on what stage of Adrenal Gland Cancer the person has. That would be a good starting point and might help others answer your question better. You might elaborate a little more is what I am saying.

Question: Lung, Adrenal, Liver cancer My mom had gallbladder cancer in her early twenties...she was treated for gallstones and the cancer was discovered and removed at that time. Later on, at age 44, she died...she was diagnosed five days prior to her death with lung cancer, the tumor was 10x8x6 cm. After reading the autopsy it appears that te cancer was also in her adrenal gland, 15x9x7 cm, and her liver 6x4x2 cm...is this hereditary and should I be tested for it? I am 34 years old... My doubts are that the cancer started as lung cancer...I believe it started when she had gallbladder cancer...then it went to the adreanal gland, liver and then lung...is that not possible? Are galbladder and adrenal gland cancers hereditary? I am unaware of anyone else having cancer in the family that young...my grandfather died of lung cancer (mom's father). My uncle does thell me stories of them being very poor and having flies in the house, lots of them, and my grandmother kept a bottle of DDT and sprayed them and the whole house with it! I worry because I also lost my father when I was 15, he was 41...he had heart disease and that was hereditary and he lost his father when he was 10 from the same thing. I just keep feeling that the cancer started from the gallbladder. I will request the autopsy report, I only have the preliminary one...this all happened when I was only 19 so it has been 14 years...

Answer: There are a few oncologists who answer questions here and I hope one of them sees your question and answers it, as they know far more than I do. Clearly something very unusual was happening with your mother. It is rare for someone under 40 to have gallbladder cancer and it is also rare for someone 44 to have metastatic lung cancer. The fact she was diagnosed just before her death and the size of her tumors indicates she had a very aggressive form of cancer. Less than 10 percent of cancers are hereditary. Are there any other family members with cancer? Did any of them get it at an early age? Were they unusually aggressive? I tend to think the cause of her problem may have been exposure or a genetic defect, not necessarily a hereditary one, or possibly a combination of both. Genetic testing is very expensive it costs $3,000-$4,000 to test for the BRAC-1 and BRAC-2 breast cancer gene and we know what we are looking for with those. It is much easier and cost effective to first test the person with the cancer to see if there is a hereditary component and then test family members. The other thing you need to consider is if you found her cancer was hereditary and you have the gene, is there anything you can do to prevent it or anything you could do differently than you can do now? In this case I would have to say no. You cannot have your lungs removed. You can have periodic chest x-rays or CTs, stay away from smoking, not inhale hazardous chemicals, etc., but you can do those things without genetic testing. I’m sorry, I know you are looking for answers and a solution to ease your mind, but I don’t have those for you. I have included some links that may answer your questions better than I can. Good luck. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-06-18-stomach_x.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071104191541.htm http://www.genetics.wayne.edu/lung/ EDIT: Hereditary cancer is rare regardless of the primary site, however it is more likely to have a hereditary cancer of the gallbladder than it is from the lung. Not that it can’t happen, but I have never seen a gallbladder cancer with mets 20 years later. The autopsy report should state what the primary site was. Usually lung mets appear as multiple nodules at the base of the lungs, not as one large tumor. EDIT: I’m so sorry you lost your parents at such a young age. I can only imagine how difficult that must be. You may very well be right about it coming from the gallbladder. When people get a non-childhood cancer at a young age and/or if it is because of exposure it can behave very unpredictably. It could have been from the DDT. There were studies done on workers who handled DDT and they found a higher incidence of cancers of the liver and biliary tract. The biliary tract connects to the gallbladder. I hope you find the answers you are looking for. Best of luck to you.

Question: There is something wrong with my adrenal glands and I'm scared incase it is cancer? I am 28 and have already been diagnosed with premature ovarian failure i had no periods for 2 years now i have recieved a letter concerning my adrenal glands i have looked up on internet and all i see is cancer cant get an appointment to speak to my doctor. My test is on wed but i am so scared i cant eat and im crying all the time can anyone tell me what my chances are Just like to say thanx to everyone who is answering i am a bit of a worrier at the best of times and its good to hear positive answers. xx forgot to add also that i had a bone scan and i have the spine bone of an 80year old woman its all these symptoms that make me think i have cancer as i do get aches and pains aswell

Answer: You should relax and dont worry so much most adrenal problem are benign and curable. let us know the result of your test. good luck

Question: Adrenal cancer? can adrenal cancer (primary or metastic) cause addisons disease. Can it also cause other adrenal problems? Also what are the symptoms of adrenal cancer?

Answer: My wife died from widespread cancer. It began in her adrenal glands. Her first symptoms were outrageously high and uncontrollable blood pressure.

Question: Once cancer patients have Mcmillan nurses attending for "pain management" does this mean it is terminal? My sister-in law has adrenal cancer and I have been told by my brother that a mcmillan nurse and a registrar are going to see her at home for pain management. I need to know as my brother will try to keep things from us so as not to worry us-but I want to know so I can give support.

Answer: I left hospital in tears as one of my new friends had just been diagnosed with cancer - went back for follow up a week later and she was being discharged, looked great as at last she knew what was wrong and was starting treatment... MacMillan are fantastic and will give your Brother and Sister in Law much help and support.. You are right though as your support will be vital to him - supporting them will also help your own health problems. Click on "getting involved" at the top of the web-page to see what you can do to help - if the worst happens I am sure that getting involved would also help your brother and you already being there will an incentive.. Your best way of starting would be to support MacMillan - speak to your brother and tell him that you want to support MacMillan to thank them for the support they are giving them.. Let him know also that you will always be there for him if he wants to speak - night or day - and that he must not bottle things up to spare you. If you are worried about speaking to your brother without more knowledge of your Sister-in-Law's condition then why not speak to McMillans yourself? Clearly they will not discuss individual patients but tell them that you want to support your brother and feel that a little advice from them would assist and I am sure that they will be helpful. http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Get_Support/… http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/defaul… Good Luck, I hope that your Sister in Law gets her heath back and that all three of you can join in fundraising for MacMillan.. Love to all, Suzy xx

Question: I got a tumor on my kidney/adrenal gland is it Cancer ?I se the spec....on the 28? I was told that when the tumors are smaller then 7 cm in size it's worst. I am very worried is there any truth to this?

Answer: I have just had a partial nephrectomy of my left kidney (partly removed) and my tumor was malignant and less than 7cm in size - caught in the very early stages. I recovered well and it has now been 6 weeks since the operation. You will need to speak to your specialist - he/she is the only one who can tell you about your tumor - there are stages and grades - this depends on the size and location (eg has it spread) My tumor was found in the left lower pole of my kidney and had not spread (metastized) to lymph glands, bones. The result is I get 6 monthly checkups on both kidneys and full body ct once a year for bones and lymphs. It is really hard not to stress out, and Im not going to say that - I know all the emotions and stuff I went through - research, and have a list of questions for your doctor - stuff like procedure - partial or radical or even keyhole surgery if you qualify - follow up treatment - radio etc, I dont know where you live but it seems to be different in other countries. I live in australia - had a fantastic specialist, and no radio required after. Best of luck and hugs to you. May all be well.

Question: Hi My best friend just found out he has Adrenal Gland cancer. What is it? What can it do? Can it be curable?

Answer: The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and "adrenal gland cancer" is adrenal carcinoma. The effects this may have on your friend depend on the specific location of the tumor on or in the adrenal gland. If it is adrenocortical carcinoma, this will effect the production of hormones and can be life threatening. The specific approach taken will depend on the size of the tumor and if the malignancy is in situ (contained) or has spread and if the tumor is functional, that is causing an over-production of hormones. It could include continued observation (for non-functional tumors), excision only or may require adrenalectomy, a complete removal of the gland and possibly surrounding tissue.

Question: while taking letrozole for breast cancer is it harmful to exercise considering my adrenal glands?

Answer: Why do you raise a question about your adrenal glands? There is nothing specifically about letrozole which will affect your adrenal glands. You should exercise, assuming you have no other reasons not to (like a heart problem). It is good for your bones, your health, and may have benefits in preventing recurrence of cancer. God bless, best wishes

Question: i have my left kidney cancer. I heard that i may be removed the kidney and the adrenal. Why? I am scary? I have a tumor in my left kidney. The diameter is 4.6cm. It is stage T1b. I already had CATSCAN. I will have MRI, CHEST CT, and BONE SCAN. My doctor told me I will have surgery to remove the kidney and may be reomoved the adrenal gland too. I don't understand why the adrenal has to be cut if the cancer does not spread out. I would like to know what happens to my health if the adrenal gland is removed; how long the surgery last? When I will be recovery after the surgery? Does anyone have the same my sickness? Please help me. Thank you very much.

Answer: i think ur doc is justified in doing Radical Nephrectomy.While resecting the tumor , the part of normal tissue beyond the tumor is always taken because thsere is also spread at micro level.Removal of one kidney along with Adrenals will not influence much on your futur life.The surgery procedure is usuallly of one hr. Recoverey is also speedy.It is better to get operated earlier than before it invades adjacent organs and cause metastases.Consult ur Surgeon for further Questioning.