Adrenal Cancer

Surgical complications

Adrenalectomy may cause bleeding, injury to surrounding organs (liver, spleen, kidney, intestines, major veins), or infection.

Hormonal imbalance

After removal of a hormone-secreting tumor, the opposite adrenal gland may not immediately recover normal function, leading to adrenal insufficiency. This can cause problems with blood pressure, blood sugar, or electrolyte balance.

Postoperative complications

atelectasis, pneumonia, intra-abdominal abscess, adhesions, bowel obstruction, wound infection, or seroma may occur.

Disease course

Adrenocortical carcinoma is typically aggressive. Even with surgery, recurrence or metastasis is common, and long-term follow-up with imaging and hormone testing is required.