Adrenal Cancer: Newly Diagnosed

Being told you have adrenal cancer can be scary, and you may have many questions. But you have people on your healthcare team to help.

Coping with fear

It’s normal to feel afraid. Learning about your cancer and about your treatment options can help you feel less afraid. This also helps you work with your healthcare team and make the best choices for your treatment. You might also want to ask to speak with a counselor or therapist.

Working with your healthcare team

Your healthcare team will likely include:

• Medical oncologist. This is a healthcare provider with special training to treat cancer with medicines such as chemotherapy.

• Endocrinologist. This is a healthcare provider who treats diseases in glands that make hormones, including the adrenal glands.

• Surgeon. This is a healthcare provider who treats diseases like cancer by doing surgery to take out the tumor or the organ it's in.

• Radiation oncologist. This is a healthcare provider who specializes in treating cancer with radiation.

These providers will answer any questions you may have. They’ll help you through each of the steps you’ll take before, during, and after treatment. Your team will let you know what tests you need and the results of those tests. They’ll guide you in making treatment decisions. They will help prepare you and your loved ones for what’s ahead.

Learning about treatment options

To decide the best course of treatment for you, your healthcare team needs to know as much as they can about your cancer. This may include getting blood tests, imaging scans, and working with more than one healthcare provider. And you may decide that you want to get a second opinion to help you choose a treatment.

Treatment often starts a few weeks to months after diagnosis. This gives you time to get the tests needed so your healthcare providers know the details about the cancer. You also have time to talk with your providers about your treatment choices, decide which treatment is best for you, and prepare yourself and your loved ones.

Getting support

Coping with cancer can be very stressful. Talk with your healthcare team about seeing a counselor or therapist. They can refer you to someone who can help. You might also want to visit a support group to talk with other people coping with cancer. Ask your healthcare team about local or online support groups.