Adrenal cortical carcinoma

Last revised by Mohammad Taghi Niknejad on 26 Apr 2023

Primary adrenal cortical carcinoma (also known as adrenocortical carcinoma) is a highly malignant but rare neoplasm. It may present as a hormonally active or inactive tumour. 

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. The 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

Hormonally inactive tumours present as palpable masses, abdominal pain, or evidence of metastasis. Hormonally active tumours, representing 30-40% of all adult tumours, present with characteristic clinical manifestations 3-5:

  • Cushing syndrome secondary to elevated cortisol (most common)

  • virilisation or feminisation secondary to elevated androgens

  • Conn syndrome secondary to hyperaldosteronism (rare)

Tumour cells can be similar to normal cortical cells, with small nuclei, pale-staining cytoplasm, and arrangement in clusters, and some cells containing large amounts of fat. In addition, the mesenchyme separating the blood vessels may be visible.

Often a suprarenal well-defined mass is seen, the appearance of which varies based on the size of the lesion. Smaller lesions are homogeneous, whereas larger lesions are heterogeneous secondary to necrosis/haemorrhage.

CT is usually the first imaging modality used.

  • tend to be large (>6 cm)

  • irregularly-shaped

  • central areas of necrosis and haemorrhage, resulting in variable enhancement

    • relative contrast retention (washout <40%) on delayed contrast-enhanced CT 7

  • calcification is seen in up to 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 the 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, lungs, bones, and liver can occur. Liver metastases tend to be hypervascular.

MRI can be useful to determine hepatic invasion if CT is inconclusive.

A heterogeneous mass is seen that is of high signal on T2 sequences. Areas of haemorrhage may result in a variable signal intensity dependent on the age of the haemorrhage. Heterogeneous enhancement is seen with the administration of gadolinium 1,4.

Arteriography may be performed in patients who present with a large mass for which the organ of origin cannot be determined 3. Selective catheterisation can identify the primary vascular supply, and thus help distinguish adrenal from renal tumours. 

Ideally, treatment is with surgical excision, however, in many instances, the 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

For an adrenal mass consider other adrenal lesions 2:

  • percutaneous fine needle aspiration (FNA) of adrenal cortical carcinoma is unreliable for establishing the diagnosis 8

  • the most specific indications of adrenal cortical carcinoma are metastases and local invasion

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