The remaining adrenal gland will make all the hormones you need. The adrenal hormones are important. But if you have an adrenal gland removed you will be perfectly well with only one. This happens if your surgeon thinks it may contain cancer cells. It's quite unusual for cancer to spread to one of the adrenal glands. If you have a kidney removed, you may have the adrenal gland above it removed too.

noradrenaline, an adrenaline-like hormone.

aldosterone, which helps to regulate the body’s water balance.

calcitriol (a form of vitamin D) which helps the intestine absorb calcium to keep your bones healthyĪbove each kidney is an adrenal gland. These small glands make:.

erythropoietin (EPO) which tells your bone marrow to make red blood cells.

The kidneys also produce three important hormones: There are also large blood vessels carrying the cleaned blood away. The main blood vessel to the kidney is called the renal artery. Blood passes through in large amounts so the kidneys can filter it and remove waste products. The kidneys have a very rich blood supply. Another tube called the urethra carries the urine from the bladder out of the body. There are 2 ureters, one from each kidney. From here it drains down a tube called the ureter and into the bladder. The urine gathers in an area called the renal pelvis at the centre of each kidney. Inside the nephrons waste products move from the small blood vessels into urine collecting tubes. Chemicals that your body needs are kept or returned to the bloodstream. As blood passes through the nephrons all unwanted waste is taken away. Inside the kidney tiny networks of tubes called nephrons filter the blood. They are near the middle of your back, one on either side of your spine. The kidneys are two bean shaped organs, each about the same size as a fist. This system filters waste products out of the blood and makes urine. Kidney cancer develops when abnormal cells in either of the kidneys start to divide and grow in an uncontrolled way. The cells can grow into surrounding tissues or organs and may spread to other areas of the body.

Kidney adrenal gland cancer