Back to Menu
1. Radical surgical treatment
The main curative approach for early-stage disease, aiming for complete tumor resection. Open surgery is often preferred for large tumors or lesions with suspected local invasion.
2. Laparoscopic surgery
Suitable for tumors <6–8 cm without evidence of invasion. It is less traumatic and allows faster recovery, but should be performed by experienced surgeons.
3. Mitotane therapy
A key drug for adrenocortical carcinoma, with both cytotoxic and hormone-suppressive effects. Therapeutic drug monitoring is required, with target plasma levels generally maintained at 14–20 mg/L.
4. Chemotherapy
The EDP regimen is commonly used for advanced or metastatic disease and may be combined with mitotane. Adjuvant chemotherapy may also be considered to reduce recurrence risk in selected patients.
5. Radiotherapy
Used for palliation of bone metastasis pain and as postoperative adjuvant treatment in selected cases. Precision techniques help deliver effective doses while protecting normal tissues.
6. Radiofrequency ablation
May be used for small unresectable tumors or metastatic lesions. It induces thermal necrosis with relatively low invasiveness and rapid recovery.
7. Arterial embolization
Used mainly for liver metastases, blocking tumor blood supply and sometimes combined with local drug delivery to control growth and relieve symptoms.
8. Targeted therapy
Directed against specific molecular abnormalities and growth signaling pathways. Patient selection depends on genomic and molecular testing.
9. Immunotherapy
Immune checkpoint inhibitors activate antitumor immunity and may be effective in a subset of patients, offering a newer treatment option.
10. Hormone replacement therapy
Glucocorticoid replacement is often required after surgery and during mitotane treatment to prevent adrenal insufficiency, with dose adjustment based on monitoring.
Jinshazhou Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine emphasizes that adrenal cancer is a rare but highly malignant endocrine tumor with complex treatment needs and generally poor prognosis, posing a serious threat to life. Early diagnosis and standardized treatment can significantly improve outcomes, increase the chance of surgery, and enhance quality of life. Multidisciplinary collaboration and individualized planning are essential, and mitotane together with emerging targeted therapies offers new hope. Patients are encouraged to maintain confidence, actively participate in treatment, and adhere to regular follow-up.
1. Radical surgical treatment
The main curative approach for early-stage disease, aiming for complete tumor resection. Open surgery is often preferred for large tumors or lesions with suspected local invasion.
2. Laparoscopic surgery
Suitable for tumors <6–8 cm without evidence of invasion. It is less traumatic and allows faster recovery, but should be performed by experienced surgeons.
3. Mitotane therapy
A key drug for adrenocortical carcinoma, with both cytotoxic and hormone-suppressive effects. Therapeutic drug monitoring is required, with target plasma levels generally maintained at 14–20 mg/L.
4. Chemotherapy
The EDP regimen is commonly used for advanced or metastatic disease and may be combined with mitotane. Adjuvant chemotherapy may also be considered to reduce recurrence risk in selected patients.
5. Radiotherapy
Used for palliation of bone metastasis pain and as postoperative adjuvant treatment in selected cases. Precision techniques help deliver effective doses while protecting normal tissues.
6. Radiofrequency ablation
May be used for small unresectable tumors or metastatic lesions. It induces thermal necrosis with relatively low invasiveness and rapid recovery.
7. Arterial embolization
Used mainly for liver metastases, blocking tumor blood supply and sometimes combined with local drug delivery to control growth and relieve symptoms.
8. Targeted therapy
Directed against specific molecular abnormalities and growth signaling pathways. Patient selection depends on genomic and molecular testing.
9. Immunotherapy
Immune checkpoint inhibitors activate antitumor immunity and may be effective in a subset of patients, offering a newer treatment option.
10. Hormone replacement therapy
Glucocorticoid replacement is often required after surgery and during mitotane treatment to prevent adrenal insufficiency, with dose adjustment based on monitoring.
Jinshazhou Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine emphasizes that adrenal cancer is a rare but highly malignant endocrine tumor with complex treatment needs and generally poor prognosis, posing a serious threat to life. Early diagnosis and standardized treatment can significantly improve outcomes, increase the chance of surgery, and enhance quality of life. Multidisciplinary collaboration and individualized planning are essential, and mitotane together with emerging targeted therapies offers new hope. Patients are encouraged to maintain confidence, actively participate in treatment, and adhere to regular follow-up.