CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Adrenalectomy
Removal of the adrenal gland. If you have adrenal cancer, HCA UK provides adrenal gland removal surgery to prevent the spread of cancerous cells.
About
The two adrenal glands are located above each kidney. Adrenal tumours are rare and most are benign (non-cancerous), however there are two main types of adrenal gland cancer - phaeochromoctyoma and adrenocortical carcinoma.
If you’ve been diagnosed with adrenal gland cancer, we’ll assess you to decide if you need surgery (adrenalectomy) to remove all or part of your adrenal gland.
Need to know
Adrenalectomy is a procedure to remove your adrenal gland if you have adrenal cancer.It involves removing the tissue that immediately surrounds the affected adrenal gland, as well as the nearby lymph nodes and kidney if the cancer has spread.
There are two main types of adrenalectomy depending on the size of the tumour - minimally invasive (known as laparoscopic or keyhole surgery) which uses one or more small cuts in the abdomen, and open surgery that is carried out using traditional instruments and cuts.
An adrenalectomy is generally a safe procedure, however as with any surgery, there are some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you, answer any questions and tell you how long to avoid eating and drinking before hand.
The adrenalectomy is usually done while you’re asleep under general anaesthetic and the area will be closed with stitches or staples.
When the procedure is completed, you may have a drip (infusion) going into your arm to keep you hydrated and help with pain relief. A catheter may also be inserted to help you urinate (pee). You should be able to eat and drink normally once you are fully awake.
After the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery unit, where our dedicated team will look after you. You’ll be given pain relief medication if you need it.
You won’t need to stay in hospital long and should be able to go home after one or two days. Your consultant or specialist nurse will let you know when you can leave the hospital.
They will also advise you on how to manage your recovery and when you can get back to your usual daily routines.
You may need painkilling tablets for up to a week after your surgery, as prescribed.
Our Adrenalectomy locations
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Private Care at Guy's
Great Maze Pond SE1 9RT London
Sydney Street Outpatients
102 Sydney Street SW3 6NJ London
The Christie Private Care
Wilmslow Road M20 4BX Manchester
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
The Wellington Hospital Outpatients
15 - 17 Lodge Road NW8 7JA London
Patient stories
Hear from past patients about their experience
Alan's story
Despite years of experiencing heart problems that just wouldn’t go away, Alan was apprehensive about having a surgical procedure. But with the expertise of his consultant and the latest cardiac technology, he decided to go ahead.
Andrew's story
“I couldn’t move my legs at all, and my arms only partially. But now I can walk six miles. I wouldn’t have got that without the physio team at The Christie Private Care, I simply wouldn’t have.”
How a second opinion helped uncover a hidden cardiac problem
Former Olympic swimmer, Adrian, was used to prioritising his physical wellbeing and continued to exercise regularly, keeping him in good health into his 60s. But when he got out of the pool one day, he noticed that something wasn’t right.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.