Second Cancers After Adrenal Cancer

Cancer survivors can be affected by many health problems, but often their greatest concern is facing cancer again. If the same cancer comes back after treatment it is called a recurrence. 

Some cancer survivors may develop a new, unrelated cancer later. This is called a second cancer. Unfortunately, being treated for cancer doesn’t mean you can’t get another cancer. Survivors of adrenal cancer can get any type of second cancer, but they have increased risks of getting:

• Lung cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Prostate cancer

Women who have had adrenal cancer also have an increased risk of melanoma of the skin.

Patients who were under 45 when adrenal cancer was diagnosed have increased risks of  breast cancer, bone and soft tissue sarcoma, brain tumors, and acute leukemia. These cancers, along with adrenal cancer, are seen in a family cancer syndrome called Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

Follow-up after treatment

After completing treatment for adrenal cancer, you should still see your doctor regularly and might have tests to look for signs the cancer has come back or spread. Experts do not recommend any additional testing to look for second cancers in patients without symptoms. Let your doctor know about any new symptoms or problems, because they could be caused by the cancer coming back or by a new disease or second cancer.

Survivors of adrenal cancer should follow the American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of cancer and stay away from tobacco products. Smoking increases the risk of many cancers.

To help maintain good health, adrenal cancer survivors should also:

• Get to and stay at a healthy weight
• Keep physically active and limit the time you spend sitting or lying down
• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limit or avoid red and processed meats, sugary drinks, and highly processed foods.
• Avoid drinking alcohol. If you do drink, have no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 drinks per day for men

These steps may also lower the risk of other health problems as well.

See Second Cancers in Adults for more information about causes of second cancers.