Histopathology Adrenal--Adrenocortical carcinoma

.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction
0:57 Causes of Adrenal Gland Cancer
2:00 Symptoms of Adrenal Gland Cancer
3:04 Diagnosis of Adrenal Gland Cancer
3:34 Treatment of Adrenal Gland Cancer



An adrenal tumor or adrenal mass[2] is any benign or malignant neoplasms of the adrenal gland, several of which are notable for their tendency to overproduce endocrine hormones. Adrenal cancer is the presence of malignant adrenal tumors, and includes neuroblastoma, adrenocortical carcinoma and some adrenal pheochromocytomas. Most adrenal pheochromocytomas and all adrenocortical adenomas are benign tumors, which do not metastasize or invade nearby tissues, but may cause significant health problems by unbalancing hormones. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare, highly aggressive cancer of adrenal cortical cells, which may occur in children or adults. ACCs may be "functional", producing steroid hormones and consequent endocrine dysfunction similar to that seen in many adrenocortical adenomas, but many are not. Due to their location deep in the retroperitoneum, most adrenocortical carcinomas are not diagnosed until they have grown quite large. They frequently invade large vessels, such as the renal vein and inferior vena cava, as well as metastasizing via the lymphatics and through the blood to the lungs and other organs. The most effective treatment is surgery, although this is not feasible for many patients, and the overall prognosis of the disease is poor. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy may also be employed in the treatment of this disease.[citation needed]

Part 3 of 5. Help close a nursing knowledge gap as you explore the unique physical, emotional, and practical needs of these patients.

Part 4 of 5. Help close a nursing knowledge gap as you explore the unique physical, emotional, and practical needs of these patients.

This innovative program at the St. Francis Cancer Center provides care for those diagnosed with cancer from ages 15-40.

Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with cancer are distinct from the pediatric and the older adult cancer populations with respect to their spectrum of diseases, the biology of their cancers, their developmental status and their particular psychosocial needs. Moreover they are poorly served by the dichotomy of the pediatric and adult oncology services.

In many parts of the world AYA with cancer and survivors of cancer in childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood face disparities of care affecting quality of life and other outcomes. In Canada, AYA with cancer experience these disparities in a health care system that is population-based rather than patient-centric. Improving this situation will necessitate that AYA can benefit not only from the current state of knowledge regarding optimal cancer care, but also from research directed to the biology, treatment and specific needs of this population. In Canada a national task force for AYA with cancer was convened in 2008 with the mandate to develop recommendations and to develop a framework of action for the implementation of those recommendations. This webinar will present these recommendations, the background on which they are based and the framework for action that will involve member institutes of CAPHC.

Presenters

Paul Rogers MB CHB, FRCPC, MBA

Dr. Rogers is a Clinical Investigator with the Child and Family Research Institute and a Clinical Professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology with the Department of Paediatrics at the University of British Columbia. He is also the Former Medical Director, Pediatric Oncology/Hematology/BMT Program Head, Division of Paediatric Hematology/ Oncology, BC Children's Hospital and BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre

Dr. Rogers is the principal investigator (UBC) for the Children's Oncology Group (COG) for the conduct of clinical trials for children with pediatric malignancies, and the former Chairman of the Nutritional Committee for the COG, which develops nutritional clinical and translational research and intervention studies for children with malignancies. He is the Co Chair Canadian Task Force for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer

Brent Schacter MD, FRCPC

Dr. Schacter is a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine of the University of Manitoba and member of the Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology at CancerCare Manitoba. He was CEO of the Canadian Assocation of Provincial Cancer Agencies (CAPCA) and was President and CEO of CancerCare Manitoba. He was a member and then Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (CSCC) and Co-Vice Chair of the Council for the CSCC. He is a Co-Chair of The Canadian Task Force on AYA Oncology. He is Principal Investigator on the Canadian Tumour Repository Network (CTRNet) Program Grant from CIHR-ICR since its inception in 2004.