Global disease prevalence: Adrenal cancer is an extremely rare malignant tumor worldwide that can occur at any age; prognosis is closely linked to the tumor stage.
Treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma by stage
Early treatment (involving a localized, small tumor with a favorable response)
specifically surgical resection—can effectively control tumor progression and correct abnormal hormone secretion, and the patient's prognosis is relatively good.
Treatment for the intermediate stage (involving local spread; aiming to inhibit growth and delay progression)
employs a comprehensive approach—such as surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy—to control further tumor spread and slow the rate of disease deterioration.
Treatment for advanced disease (distant metastasis; aimed at symptom relief and survival prolongation)
primarily employs systemic therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and others to alleviate clinical symptoms and extend patient survival as much as possible.
Why choose Fosun Health for adrenal cancer treatment
Fosun Health’s adrenal cancer diagnosis and treatment services are managed by the specialized center for endocrine tumors. The team has accumulated extensive experience in radical adrenalectomy, mitotane targeted therapy, and comprehensive treatment for advanced-stage disease.Leveraging a global medical network, patients have access to cutting-edge international treatments including laparoscopic adrenalectomy, mitotane targeted therapy, CyberKnife M6 stereotactic radiosurgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
For complex cases such as advanced or functional adrenocortical carcinoma, an MDT—comprising experts from urology, endocrinology, medical oncology, and radiology—formulates the optimal treatment plan; a cross-border consultation mechanism provides patients with second opinions from top-tier centers abroad.
Foshan Fosun Chancheng Hospital is equipped with the da Vinci surgical robot and the CyberKnife M6 precision radiotherapy system, enabling the performance of complex radical adrenalectomy and stereotactic radiosurgery.The hospital possesses extensive experience in the precision treatment of functional adrenal tumors, offering patients personalized, comprehensive care that integrates surgery, targeted therapy, and hormonal management.
Treatment Methods for Adrenocortical Carcinoma
1.CyberKnife precision radiotherapy
For certain cases of unresectable, locally recurrent, or oligometastatic malignant adrenal tumors, CyberKnife precision radiotherapy may be evaluated based on lesion size, location, and the status of surrounding vital organs.
Treatment advantages:
① Precise focusing: High-precision irradiation targeting localized adrenal lesions.
② Non-surgical treatment: No traditional surgical resection required.
③ Local control: Suitable for select cases of local recurrence or oligometastatic lesions.
④ Reduction of radiation exposure to normal tissue: Optimize dose distribution based on the spatial relationship between the tumor and organs such as the kidneys, liver, and gastrointestinal tract.
2.Radical resection of adrenal tumor
For localized, resectable malignant tumors such as adrenocortical carcinoma, surgical resection is the primary treatment modality; the surgical approach (e.g., open surgery or laparoscopy) is selected based on tumor size, extent of invasion, and relationship with surrounding organs.
Treatment advantages:
① Complete resection: Direct removal of the primary tumor and necessary involved tissues.
② Local control: Offering significant therapeutic value for localized adrenocortical carcinoma.
③ Clarify pathology: Surgical specimens can be used to determine tumor type, grade, and margin status.
④ Assessment of invasion extent: Allows for the simultaneous evaluation of involvement in surrounding tissues and lymph nodes.
3. VitalBeam linear accelerator precision radiotherapy
For select malignant adrenal tumors that are unresectable, show postoperative residual disease, or exhibit local recurrence, precision radiotherapy may be administered based on the extent of the lesion and the tolerance of surrounding normal tissues.
Treatment advantages:
① Personalized irradiation: Treatment plans are tailored based on tumor size and location.
② Local control: Targets confirmed residual or recurrent lesions for treatment.
③ Dose optimization: Minimizes radiation exposure to adjacent organs while meeting tumor treatment requirements.
④ Combination therapy: May be implemented in combination with regimens such as drug therapy, depending on the extent of the disease.
4.Chemotherapy
Kills cancer cells using anticancer drugs such as mitotane to effectively control the rate of tumor progression; commonly used for patients with advanced adrenocortical carcinoma.
5.Targeted therapy
Delivers precision strikes against specific molecular targets; offers good efficacy with relatively mild side effects; suitable for select patients with advanced-stage disease.
6.Hormone replacement therapy
Replenishing deficient hormones to maintain normal physiological functions provides supportive therapy for patients who have undergone bilateral adrenalectomy, helping to improve overall therapeutic outcomes.
7.Radiofrequency ablation
Uses radiofrequency thermal energy to directly destroy tumor tissue; suitable for patients with unresectable locally recurrent or metastatic lesions.Helps improve overall therapeutic efficacy.
8.Comprehensive therapy
Formulate an individualized comprehensive treatment plan—combining surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other modalities based on the patient's specific condition—to enhance therapeutic efficacy.
9.Supportive care
Approaches such as nutritional support, psychological counseling, and symptom management can comprehensively improve the patient's physical condition and quality of life.
Post-treatment care
Maintain a regular daily routine and a low-salt diet; monitor changes in blood pressure and blood sugar; attend scheduled follow-up appointments and actively cooperate with subsequent treatment as advised.
Post-treatment examinations
Regular abdominal CT scans, hormone level testing, and follow-up imaging are required after treatment to detect tumor recurrence or changes in the condition in a timely manner.
Conclusion
Although rare, adrenocortical carcinoma poses a serious threat; successful treatment hinges on early detection, diagnosis, and intervention, as well as selecting an appropriate treatment plan and adhering to follow-up care.
