Adrenal cancer

Adrenal cancer overview

You are at the center of everything we do at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Here, we surround you with a team of specialists who work together closely to provide expert, targeted care and compassionate support throughout your treatment and beyond.

We have a deep understanding of how to evaluate your condition and how select and combine treatments to get the best possible results — even for rare cancers that many doctors in the community never see once in their career, like adrenal cancer.

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Featured Stories

Diagnosed with a rare adrenal tumor, Whitney Wynn beats the odds

Whitney Wynn had experienced strange symptoms for years, but her primary care physicians didn’t suspect cancer. Her recurrent yeast infections were dismissed as “just women’s problems” although they were later attributed to the high levels of cortisol being secreted by her tumor.

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Diagnosed with a rare adrenal tumor, Whitney Wynn beats the odds

Why choose Fred Hutch?

Experienced adrenal specialists
Your skilled and highly experienced team includes an endocrine surgeon, endocrinologist, pathologist, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist and dedicated nurses. These UW Medicine specialists work together closely to plan and coordinate all your care so it’s thorough and also easier on you.
Comprehensive adrenal cancer treatment
We follow guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network to make sure you receive the treatments you need (and none that you don’t). We offer a full range of treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Where you’re treated first matters most
Studies have shown that the first treatment you receive for cancer is by far the most important. Patients who begin treatment at Fred Hutch often have better outcomes than those who started treatment elsewhere.
Adrenal cancer clinical trials
To give you access to the most innovative therapies, we unite the leading researchers and cancer specialists of Fred Hutch and UW Medicine so you can take part in adrenal cancer clinical studies not available everywhere.
A national leader in cancer care
Fred Hutch is the leading cancer treatment center in the region and among the top nationally, according to U.S. News & World Report.
NCI comprehensive cancer center
We are a comprehensive cancer center, a designation from the National Cancer Institute that reflects our scientific leadership and the depth and breadth of our research to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

Chemotherapy Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. It may be given alone or with other treatments. Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth, injection, infusion or on the skin, depending on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. It may be given alone or with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy or biologic therapy. Clinical trial A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease. Medical oncologist A physician who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer in adults using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy and targeted therapy. A physician who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer in adults using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy and targeted therapy. A medical oncologist is often the main health care provider for someone who has cancer. A medical oncologist also gives supportive care and may coordinate treatment given by other specialists. Oncologist A physician who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment, such as treating cancer with radiation. A physician who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment. For example, a radiation oncologist specializes in treating cancer with radiation. Pathologist A physician who has special training in identifying diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope. Radiation therapy The use of high-energy radiation from X-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body.

Facts

Most tumors of the adrenal glands are benign (not cancer). Adrenal cancer is very rare. At Fred Hutch, our endocrine tumor specialists — all UW Medicine doctors — have experience evaluating and treating people with this uncommon disease.

Adrenal Cancer Facts

Treatment

Fred Hutch treats the full range of cancers that can affect endocrine glands, including your adrenal glands. Our endocrine tumor experts are UW Medicine doctors who also see patients at University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC). They work together closely to provide coordinated, world-class treatment for you.

Treatment for Adrenal Cancer

Providers

At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes physicians, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like nutritionists, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders.

View Providers for Adrenal Cancer

Resources

There are many resources online for learning about your disease, as well as organizations that provide community and support for your cancer diagnosis. Health educators at the Fred Hutch Patient and Family Resource Center have compiled a list of trusted sources to help you get started.

View Adrenal Cancer Resources

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