International Center of Excellence for Treatment of Adrenal Cancer or Adrenocortical Carcinoma
The University of Michigan is home to the Multidisciplinary Adrenal Cancer Clinic, one of only a few medical centers in the U.S. recognized as an international center of excellence for treatment of adrenal cancer or adrenocortical carcinoma. And in 2008, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association named the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center a Blue Distinction Center for Complex and Rare Cancers. Adrenal gland tumors, specifically the adrenal cortex are very rare, occurring in one person in every million. In the United States, about 300-500 people are diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma every year. They usually occur in only 1 adrenal gland, but can occur in both.
Adrenal Cancer Treatment by a Team of Specialists at Michigan
The “multidisciplinary” in Multidisciplinary Adrenal Cancer Clinic means you get a team of doctors, who will review your case together and present your best treatment options, from a complete range of disciplines, including:
- Endocrine Surgery
- Medical Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Radiology
- Pathology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Cancer Genetics
- Endocrinology
- Nursing
- Social Work
University of Michigan adrenal specialists typically see 10 to 15 adrenal cancer patients each week and more than 200 visits a year. In their entire career, most doctors will never encounter a single case of adrenal cancer.
Best Treatment Recommendations by Multi-Specialty Team of Adrenal Cancer Specialists
Our team of adrenal cancer specialists will sit down together to review your case, ensuring you get the best treatment recommendation without the hassle of multiple appointments. Each case is reviewed by a consensus team of adrenal cancer specialists. By the time patients are seen in the clinic, all films, pathology and lab reports have already been obtained and reviewed, allowing for a comprehensive visit followed by presentation of the case at tumor board and consensus treatment planning the same day.
Need a Second Opinion for your Adrenal Cancer Diagnosis?
The University of Michigan Health System’s Remote Second Opinion, you can obtain a medical consultation regarding your adrenal cancer diagnosis and treatment plan by allowing our physicians to review your medical records and remotely interact with you and your local doctor.
Michigan Wrote the Book on Adrenocortical Carcinoma
The University of Michigan Health System’s Adrenal Cancer team is at theforefront of adrenal cancer research, having initiated multiple trials for adrenal cancer throughout the country and the world. In addition, U-M physicians wrote the first text book for adrenal cancer, “Adrenocortical Carcinoma”, which is being used to train physicians around the world. On a global scale, U-M remains a key teacher and collaborator in basic, clinical and translational research on adrenal cancer.
Adrenal Cancer Research and Clinical Trials Lead to Innovative Treatment Options
Research is conducted through the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Endocrine Oncology Program, headed by Dr. Hammer. The program includes expertise in cancer stem cell, stem cell and basic cancer cell biology. This makes it possible for researchers to explore the basic biology of adrenal growth, and to develop new treatments including targeted biological-based therapies with the potential to attack cancer cells while sparing the healthy cells. The U-M Endocrine Oncology Program is the only program in the U.S. with sufficient patient volume to conduct a Phase II adrenal cancer trial at one location and such a trial is currently open to our patients.
Ongoing research includes studying the genetics and stem cell biology of adrenal cancer, identifying novel genetic mutations and signaling pathways that could ultimately lead to targeted therapies. Because the adrenal gland shares an embryologic origin with the testes and ovaries, this research could lead to better understanding of those cancer types as well.
Why Michigan for treatment of Adrenocortical Carcinoma or Adrenal Cancer?
At the University of Michigan’s Adrenal Cancer Program, we offer a combination of high level clinical expertise and industry leading research that results in the best possible care for the patients we serve. With our advanced surgical approaches, to our radiological therapies following surgery, to our systematic treatments to prevent the cancer from spreading, all grounded in the very latest research, we are ready to fight your adrenal cancer with everything we’ve got.