Adrenal malignant neoplasm assumed to be metastasized from lung cancer

Perhaps I am with the wrong group. Would someone direct me to the appropriate group for adrenal cancer? Thanks.

Welcome @freitag. If I'm understanding you correctly, the cancerous mass that was found in the adrenal gland is thought to be metastasized lung cancer. This would mean it is not adrenal cancer, but rather lung cancer that has spread. Do I have that right? Assuming that is correct, I have moved your message to the Lung Cancer group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lung-cancer/

It is important to know the type of cancer metastasized lung cancer or primary adrenal cancer to decide on treatment following surgery. If it is lung cancer that has spread, then treatment will be chemo or radiation or targeted therapies or other that are known to work for lung cancer. If it is a new primary cancer - adrenal cancer, then treatments for adrenal cancer will be recommended.

Does that make sense? Are you able to contact the surgeon before your follow-up appointment?

Thank you! I will go to that group.
My follow-up appointment is just a tele-visit, and that is the only way I can communicate with him. There is a nurse-practitioner who was the contact person for me, but they are out for the month of November.

@freitag, well I will wait with you. Waiting is the hardest part.

In case it is primary adrenal cancer, you may wish to see this discussion group:
- Adrenal Cancer: Anyone else have this? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/adrenal-cancer/

What type of lung cancer did you have and what stage and/or treatments did you have? Are you being treated at a cancer center?

The lung cancer was Stage 1A and was adenocarcinoma with acinar predominant (65%) with papillary (20%), micropapillary (10%) and lepidic patterns.

This was nearly three years ago. The right upper lobe of my lung was removed. I had no further treatment.

The adrenal tumor was found a little over two years after lung surgery, although the endocrinologist, oncologist surgeon believes it may have been apparent six months earlier in a scan but overlooked.

I was treated for this tumor (on the adrenal gland) at a cancer center. As it appears to be metastasized from the lung cancer, my case will probably go back to the surgeon from three years ago who is part of the cancer center but generally practices in thoracic and foregut surgery.

Thank you. My husband has the same. I will go to the lung cancer group.

Anyone have lung cancer > adrenal gland? Oncologist says SBRT

Adrenalectomy surgery or Radiation SBRT?
Oncologist says SBRT but reading that gland removal is best. Anyone have either?

If cancerous lung was removed, how did cancer metastasize 2 or even 1.5 years after the surgery?

My husband had Lobectomy 2 months ago and now has a mass in adrenal gland. Oncologist thinks it metastasized thru lymphatic system before or during surgery, Now I’m concerned bc your metastatic cancer appeared year(s) after surgery.

Hi @abob, sadly a few cancerous cells can escape the primary area of disease. This is why some people will have further treatments such as chemo or immunotherapy after surgery. We hope our doctors know when those additional treatments are needed and when they are not, but it can be difficult to know for sure. Some cancers are slow growing and can take years before they are detectable. Unfortunately nothing with our health is guaranteed. We continue to have scans to watch for any progression.
Adrenal nodules can be common, and not always cancerous. Are they able to biopsy the adrenal glad nodule, so they know for sure? Or will he be having a PET scan?