Adrenal cortical carcinoma
Updates to Article Attributes
A primaryPrimary adrenal cortical carcinoma is a highly malignant but rare neoplasm. It may present as a hormonally active or inactive tumour.
Epidemiology
Although men and women are affected equally, functioning tumours are more common in females, who are also more likely to have an associated endocrine syndrome 5. Median age of presentation is ~around 50 years, but tumours have been found at all ages 3,4.
An additional, but smaller, incidence peak occurs in early childhood. In these cases tumours are more likely to be functioning 5.
Incidence is low, ranging from 0.6 to 1.67 per million, per year 5.
Clinical presentation
Hormonally inactive tumours present as palpable masses, abdominal pain or with evidence of metastasis. Hormonally active tumours, representing 30 - 40-40% of all adult tumours, present with characteristic clinical manifestations 3-5.
- Cushing syndrome secondary to elevated cortisol
- virilization or feminization secondary to elevated androgens
- Conn syndrome secondary to hyperaldosteronism (rare)
Associations
Radiographic features
Ultrasound
Often a suprarenal well defined mass is seen, the appearance of which varies based on size of lesion. Smaller lesions are homogenous, whereas larger lesions are heterogenous secondary to necrosis/haemorrhage.
CT
CT is usually the first imaging modality used. Adrenal carcinomas tend to be large (> 6 cm) irregular shaped mass with central areas of necrosis and haemorrhage, resulting in variable enhancement. Calcification is seen in upto 30% of cases.
If the mass is found early, when still small, then it is difficult to distinguish from an adenoma, as aggressive features are often absent 5.
Focal extension into renal vein, IVC and liver are relatively common, with some series finding renal vein involvement in up to 40% of patients 5. Metastasis to regional lymph nodes and lung can occur.
MRI
MRI can be useful to determine hepatic invasion if CT is inconclusive.
Heterogeneous mass is seen that is of high signal on T2 sequences. Areas of haemorrhage may result in variable signal intensity dependent on the age of the haemorrhage. Heterogeneous enhancement is seen with administration of gadolinium.1,4.
Angiography
Arteriography is performed in patients who present with a large mass for which the organ of origin cannot be determined. 3. Selective catherisation can identify the primary vascular supply, and thus help distinguish adrenal from renal tumours.
Treatment and prognosis
Ideally treatment is with surgical excision, however in many instances disease is advanced at the time of diagnosis, in which case chemotherapy (Mitotane) and radiation may be given for palliation.
In general males have a poorer prognosis, largely because they are less likely to have functioning tumours, and thus present later, with more advanced disease 5.
Differential diagnosis
For an adrenal mass consider other adrenal lesions 2, such as:
- adrenal metastases
- adrenal adenoma
- adrenal haemorrhage
-
phaeochromocytoma
- will look identical on imaging
- differentiation is on histology
and, biochemistry/and functional status
-<p>A primary <strong>adrenal cortical carcinoma</strong> is a highly malignant but rare neoplasm. It may present as a hormonally active or inactive tumour.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Although men and women are affected equally, functioning tumours are more common in females, who are also more likely to have an associated endocrine syndrome <sup>5</sup>. Median age of presentation is ~ 50 years, but tumours have been found at all ages <sup>3,4</sup>.</p><p>An additional, but smaller, incidence peak occurs in early childhood. In these cases tumours are more likely to be functioning <sup>5</sup>. </p><p>Incidence is low, ranging from 0.6 to 1.67 per million, per year <sup>5</sup>. </p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Hormonally inactive tumours present as palpable masses, abdominal pain or with evidence of metastasis. Hormonally active tumours, representing 30 - 40% of all adult tumours, present with characteristic clinical manifestations <sup>3-5</sup>.</p><ul>-<li>-<a href="/articles/cushing-syndrome" title="Cushing syndrome">Cushing syndrome</a> secondary to elevated cortisol</li>-<li>virilization or feminization secondary to elevated androgens</li>-<li>-<a href="/articles/conn-syndrome" title="Conn syndrome">Conn syndrome</a> secondary to hyperaldosteronism (rare)</li>-</ul><h5>Associations</h5><ul><li><a href="/articles/beckwith-wiedemann-syndrome-2" title="Beckwith Wiedemann syndrome">Beckwith Wiedemann syndrome</a></li></ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Ultrasound</h5><p>Often a suprarenal well defined mass is seen, the appearance of which varies based on size of lesion. Smaller lesions are homogenous, whereas larger lesions are heterogenous secondary to necrosis/haemorrhage.</p><h5>CT</h5><p>CT is usually the first imaging modality used. Adrenal carcinomas tend to be large (> 6 cm) irregular shaped mass with central areas of necrosis and haemorrhage, resulting in variable enhancement. Calcification is seen in upto 30% of cases. </p><p>If the mass is found early, when still small, then it is difficult to distinguish from an adenoma, as aggressive features are often absent <sup>5</sup>. </p><p>Focal extension into renal vein, IVC and liver are relatively common, with some series finding renal vein involvement in up to 40% of patients <sup>5</sup>. Metastasis to regional lymph nodes and lung can occur.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>MRI can be useful to determine hepatic invasion if CT is inconclusive.</p><p>Heterogeneous mass is seen that is of high signal on T2 sequences. Areas of haemorrhage may result in variable signal intensity dependent on the age of the haemorrhage. Heterogeneous enhancement is seen with administration of gadolinium.<sup>1,4</sup></p><h5>Angiography</h5><p>Arteriography is performed in patients who present with a large mass for which the organ of origin cannot be determined. <sup>3</sup> Selective catherisation can identify the primary vascular supply, and thus help distinguish adrenal from renal tumours. </p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Ideally treatment is with surgical excision, however in many instances disease is advanced at the time of diagnosis, in which case chemotherapy (Mitotane) and radiation may be given for palliation.</p><p>In general males have a poorer prognosis, largely because they are less likely to have functioning tumours, and thus present later, with more advanced disease <sup>5</sup>. </p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>For an adrenal mass consider other <a href="/articles/adrenal-lesions" title="Adrenal lesions">adrenal lesions</a> <sup>2</sup>, such as:</p><ul>-<li><a href="/articles/adrenal-metastases" title="Adrenal metastases">adrenal metastases</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/adrenal_adenoma" title="Adrenal adenoma">adrenal adenoma</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/adrenal_haemorrhage" title="Adrenal haemorrhage">adrenal haemorrhage</a></li>-<li>-<a href="/articles/pheochromocytoma-2" title="Phaeochromocytoma">phaeochromocytoma</a><ul>-<li>will look identical on imaging</li>-<li>differentiation is on histology and biochemistry / functional status</li>- +<p>Primary <strong>adrenal cortical carcinoma</strong> is a highly malignant but rare neoplasm. It may present as a hormonally active or inactive tumour.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Although men and women are affected equally, functioning tumours are more common in females, who are also more likely to have an associated endocrine syndrome <sup>5</sup>. Median age of presentation is around 50 years, but tumours have been found at all ages <sup>3,4</sup>.</p><p>An additional, but smaller, incidence peak occurs in early childhood. In these cases tumours are more likely to be functioning <sup>5</sup>. </p><p>Incidence is low, ranging from 0.6 to 1.67 per million, per year <sup>5</sup>. </p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Hormonally inactive tumours present as palpable masses, abdominal pain or with evidence of metastasis. Hormonally active tumours, representing 30-40% of all adult tumours, present with characteristic clinical manifestations <sup>3-5</sup>.</p><ul>
- +<li>
- +<a href="/articles/cushing-syndrome">Cushing syndrome</a> secondary to elevated cortisol</li>
- +<li>virilization or feminization secondary to elevated androgens</li>
- +<li>
- +<a href="/articles/conn-syndrome">Conn syndrome</a> secondary to hyperaldosteronism (rare)</li>
- +</ul><h5>Associations</h5><ul><li><a href="/articles/beckwith-wiedemann-syndrome-2">Beckwith Wiedemann syndrome</a></li></ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Ultrasound</h5><p>Often a suprarenal well defined mass is seen, the appearance of which varies based on size of lesion. Smaller lesions are homogenous, whereas larger lesions are heterogenous secondary to necrosis/haemorrhage.</p><h5>CT</h5><p>CT is usually the first imaging modality used. Adrenal carcinomas tend to be large (> 6 cm) irregular shaped mass with central areas of necrosis and haemorrhage, resulting in variable enhancement. Calcification is seen in upto 30% of cases.</p><p>If the mass is found early, when still small, then it is difficult to distinguish from an adenoma, as aggressive features are often absent <sup>5</sup>. </p><p>Focal extension into renal vein, IVC and liver are relatively common, with some series finding renal vein involvement in up to 40% of patients <sup>5</sup>. Metastasis to regional lymph nodes and lung can occur.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>MRI can be useful to determine hepatic invasion if CT is inconclusive.</p><p>Heterogeneous mass is seen that is of high signal on T2 sequences. Areas of haemorrhage may result in variable signal intensity dependent on the age of the haemorrhage. Heterogeneous enhancement is seen with administration of gadolinium <sup>1,4</sup>.</p><h5>Angiography</h5><p>Arteriography is performed in patients who present with a large mass for which the organ of origin cannot be determined <sup>3</sup>. Selective catherisation can identify the primary vascular supply, and thus help distinguish adrenal from renal tumours. </p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Ideally treatment is with surgical excision, however in many instances disease is advanced at the time of diagnosis, in which case chemotherapy (Mitotane) and radiation may be given for palliation.</p><p>In general males have a poorer prognosis, largely because they are less likely to have functioning tumours, and thus present later, with more advanced disease <sup>5</sup>. </p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>For an adrenal mass consider other <a href="/articles/adrenal-lesions">adrenal lesions</a> <sup>2</sup>:</p><ul>
- +<li><a href="/articles/adrenal-metastases">adrenal metastases</a></li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/adrenal-adenoma">adrenal adenoma</a></li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/adrenal-haemorrhage">adrenal haemorrhage</a></li>
- +<li>
- +<a href="/articles/pheochromocytoma-2">phaeochromocytoma</a><ul>
- +<li>will look identical on imaging</li>
- +<li>differentiation is on histology, biochemistry and functional status</li>
-</li>-</ul><div id="gmBFhv" style="BORDER-RIGHT: rgb(0,67,179) 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 1px! important; BORDER-TOP: rgb(0,67,179) 1px solid; DISPLAY: none! important; PADDING-LEFT: 1px! important; FONT-WEIGHT: normal! important; FONT-SIZE: 12px! important; Z-INDEX: 1410065406! important; LEFT: 460px! important; VISIBILITY: hidden! important; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px! important; MARGIN: 0px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle! important; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(0,67,179) 1px solid; WIDTH: auto; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)! important; LINE-HEIGHT: normal! important; PADDING-TOP: 1px! important; BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(0,67,179) 1px solid; FONT-FAMILY: Arial! important; POSITION: absolute! important; TOP: 25px! important; HEIGHT: auto! important; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(168,236,255)! important; border-radius: 3px 3px 3px 3px"></div>- +</li>
- +</ul>
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