Treating Adrenal Cancer

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with adrenal cancer, the cancer care team will discuss options with you. It's important to weigh the benefits of each treatment option against the possible risks and side effects.

For information on neuroblastoma, a cancer that can begin in the inner part of adrenal glands, see Neuroblastoma.

Who treats adrenal cancer?

Depending on your situation, your cancer care team might include:

  • A surgical oncologist, a doctor who uses surgery to treat cancer
  • An endocrinologist, a doctor who treats diseases in glands that make hormones
  • A radiation oncologist, a doctor who uses radiation to treat cancer
  • A medical oncologist, a doctor who uses chemotherapy and other medicines to treat cancer

Many other health professionals might be a part of your care as well. These may include other doctors, nurses, physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), psychologists, social workers, dieticians, rehabilitation specialists, and others.

How is adrenal cancer treated?

Types of treatment for adrenal cancer include:

Treatment options for adrenal cancer

The treatment options for adrenal cancer depend on the type and stage of your cancer. Other factors, such as a person’s age, overall health, and personal preferences, can also be important.

Since adrenal cancers are rare and can be difficult to treat if they have spread, clinical trials might also be a good option.

Making treatment decisions

It’s important to discuss all your treatment options with your cancer care team so you can make the decision that best fits your needs. This includes talking about the goals and possible side effects of each treatment.

Whether you’re thinking about waiting for treatment, getting treatment, or not being treated at all, you can also get supportive care to help with pain and other symptoms.

Take your time to think about all your options. Ask questions if you’re unsure about anything.

Questions to ask before treatment for adrenal cancer

Understanding your diagnosis and choosing a treatment plan

  • What are my treatment options?
  • Which do you recommend and why?
  • How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
  • Is my tumor making hormones? If so, how will we treat the extra hormones?
  • What would the goal of treatment be?
  • Does my cancer need to be treated right away, or can it be watched closely?
  • What are the chances the cancer comes back with these treatment plans?
  • Are there clinical trials we should consider? How can we find out more about them?
  • Should I get a second opinion? How do I do that?

What to expect during treatment

  • What should I do to be ready for treatment?
  • How long will treatment last?
  • What will it be like? Where will it be done?
  • How will we know if the treatment is working?
  • How might treatment affect my daily activities? Can I still work full time?
  • Can I exercise during treatment? If so, what kind should I do and how often?
  • Are there any limits on what I can do?

Side effects and long-term effects

  • What are the risks or side effects of this treatment?
  • Can I do anything to manage or reduce these side effects?
  • What symptoms or side effects should I tell you about right away?
  • Which side effects start shortly after treatment and which ones might develop later on?

Support and resources

  • How can I reach you on nights, holidays, or weekends?
  • Who do I talk to if I’m concerned about the costs, transportation or housing, insurance coverage, or social support?
  • What type of follow up will I need after treatment?
  • Do you know of any local or online support groups where I can talk to people who have been through this?

Other things to consider

Seeking a second opinion: If time allows, consider getting a second opinion. This can give you more information and another perspective. It can help you feel more confident about the treatment plan you choose.

Clinical trials: Clinical trials study new treatments that are not yet widely available. They are also how doctors learn better ways to treat cancer. Ask your doctor about clinical trials you may qualify for.

Integrative (holistic) and alternative methods: You may hear about herbs, diets, acupuncture, massage, or other ways to relieve your symptoms or treat your cancer. Integrative therapies are used with standard treatment. Alternative medicine is used instead of standard treatment.

Some of these methods may help relieve symptoms. But many of them are not proven and could even be harmful. Talk with your care team about how to use integrative therapies safely before trying them.


ACS Acts patient talks to provider in room

ACS ACTS: Access to Clinical Trials and Support

We understand the challenges of finding the right clinical trial and navigating your treatment options. ACS ACTS is here to empower you every step of the way, from clinical trials matching to connecting you with community resources.


Social and emotional health during treatment

It’s normal to have some anxiety and other emotions during and after cancer treatment. Feeling worried, depressed, or angry can impact your health. It can affect relationships, work, and other aspects of life. Talk to your cancer care team about how you are feeling and coping.

Adrenal cancer and its treatment can have a profound effect on how a person views themselves and their body. It can also affect how they do some everyday tasks, including certain school, work, or recreational activities. Some people may also have a hard time coping with being away from work, friends and activities they enjoyed before cancer. These impacts are often greatest during the first year of treatment, but they can be long-lasting in some people.

Self-esteem, self-image, and social development can be addressed with support and encouragement. Many cancer centers have special support programs and services to help people with cancer and their families during treatment and for many years after treatment ends. Reach out to your cancer center for help when needed. This may include services like counseling, social events, or support groups.

Help getting through cancer treatment

Your cancer care team will be your first source of information and support, but there are other resources for help when you need it. Hospital- or clinic-based support services can also be an important part of cancer care. This might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help.

Many cancer centers have special support programs and services to help people with cancer and their families during treatment and for many years after treatment ends. Reach out to your cancer center for help when you need it. This might include services like counseling, social events, or support groups.

The 黑料大湿Posts Cancer Society also has programs and services to help you get through treatment, including rides to treatment, lodging, and more. Contact the ACS cancer helpline for more information.

Choosing to stop treatment or choosing no treatment at all

When treatments have been tried and are no longer controlling your cancer, it could be time to weigh the benefits and risks of continuing to try new treatments. Whether or not you continue treatment, there are still things you can do to help maintain or improve your quality of life.

Choosing not to treat your cancer

Some people might not want to be treated at all, especially if the cancer is advanced. There are many reasons you might decide not to get treatment, but it’s important to talk to your cancer care team as you make that decision. Remember that even if you choose not to treat your cancer, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms.

Hospice care

People with advanced cancer who are expected to live less than 6 months may want to consider hospice care. Hospice care is designed to provide the best possible quality of life for people near the end of life. A hospice care team can also help you and your family start to plan for next steps.

You and your family are encouraged to talk with your cancer care team about hospice care options, which include hospice care at home, a special hospice center, or other health care locations.

Nursing care and special equipment can make staying at home an option for many families.


The treatment information given here is not official policy of the 黑料大湿Posts Cancer Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor. Your doctor may have reasons for suggesting a treatment plan different from these general treatment options. Don't hesitate to ask your cancer care team any questions you may have about your treatment options.

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Developed by the 黑料大湿Posts Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the 黑料大湿Posts Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Asban A, Patel AJ, Reddy S, Wang T, Balantine CJ, Chen H. Chapter 68: Cancer of the Endocrine System. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Dorshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa. Elsevier: 2020.

National Cancer Institute. Adrenocortical Carcinoma Treatment (PDQ). Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/types/adrenocortical/hp/adrenocortical-treatment-pdq on June 23, 2026.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Neuroendocrine and Adrenal Tumors Version 1.2026 – April 21, 2026. Accessed at https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/neuroendocrine.pdf on June 23, 2026.

Young WF. Treatment of pheochromocytoma in adults. UpToDate. 2026. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-of-pheochromocytoma-in-adults on June 23, 2026.

Last Revised: October 5, 2026

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