Adrenocortical carcinoma overview
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Adrenocortical carcinoma Microchapters |
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Differentiating Adrenocortical carcinoma from other Diseases |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Study |
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Adrenocortical carcinoma overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Adrenocortical carcinoma overview |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Adrenocortical carcinoma overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2] Ahmad Al Maradni, M.D. [3]
Overview
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy, often with an unfavorable prognosis. It originates from the adrenal cortex. ACCs may be functional and secret many hormones causing specific syndromes include Cushing's syndrome, Conn's syndrome, virilization, and feminization. Adrenocortical carcinoma invades nearby tissues or metastasize to distant organs at the time of diagnosis. The overall 5-year survival rate is only 20-35%. On gross pathology, a large tan-yellow surface with areas of hemorrhage and necrosis is a characteristic finding of adrenocortical carcinoma. On microscopic analysis, sheets of atypical cells with some resemblance to the cells of the normal adrenal cortex are a characteristic finding of adrenocortical carcinoma. Adrenal CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) and differentiating it from other diseases, such as adrenocortical adenoma. Signs such as Internal hemorrhage, calcifications. MRI scans are helpful in differentiating between adrenal adenoma, carcinoma, and metastatic lesions. Due to the multiplanar capability of MRI, direct invasion of adjacent organs may be better shown. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for adrenocortical carcinoma. Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy may be required in treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma.
Historical perspective
In 1893, Grawitz et al was the first one described ACC and falsely assumed it a hypernephroma. ByBy 1938, the Mayo group had removed tumors successfully from 16 consecutive patients, most of whom had Cushing’s syndrome. In 1960, mitotane was first used clinically to treat inoperable or recurrent ACC.
Classification
Adrenocortical carcinoma is classified according to hormone production and histological appearance.
Pathophysiology
On gross pathology, a large tan-yellow surface with areas of hemorrhage and necrosis is a characteristic finding of adrenocortical carcinoma. On microscopic histopathological analysis, sheets of atypical cells with some resemblance to the cells of the normal adrenal cortex are a characteristic finding of adrenocortical carcinoma.
Causes
There are no established causes for Adrenocortical carcinoma. The relatively increased incidence in childhood is mainly explained by germline TP53 mutations, which are the underlying genetic cause of ACC in >50% to 80% of children.
Differentiating Adrenal Carcinoma from other Diseases
Adrenocortical carcinoma must be differentiated from other diseases such as adrenocortical adenoma, adrenal metastasis, adrenal medullary tumors, and Cushing's syndrome.
Epidemiology and Demographics
The incidence of adrenocortical carcinoma is believed to be 0.72 per million cases per year leading to 0.2% of all cancer deaths in the United States and 0.2 to 0.3 per million children per year worldwide but valid data are lacking. A bimodal distribution was observed, the first one in pediatrics and the second one in the fifth to sixth decade. There is a predilection for the female gender.
Risk Factors
The most potent risk factors in the development of adrenocortical cancer are Lynch syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Carney complex, Neurofibromatosis type 1, Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), and Carney complex.
Screening
Screening is not recommended for adrenocortical carcinoma.
Natural History, Complication and Prognosis
If left untreated, patients with adrenocortical carcinoma may progress to develop hyperglycemia, osteoporosis, delayed wound healing, hypertension, Cerebrovascular disease, and local or distant metastasis. Prognosis is generally poor, and the 5-year survival rate of patients with adrenocortical carcinoma stage I-III is approximately 30%. Complications may include metastasis, Conn's syndrome and Cushing'a syndrome.
Diagnosis
Staging
According to the TNM staging system, there are four stages of adrenocortical cancer based on the tumor size, lymph nodes, and distant metastasis. Each stage is assigned a number and letter that designates the number of lymph nodes involved and presence/absence of distant metastasis.
History and Symptoms
Symptoms of adrenocortical carcinoma include symptoms of androgen, glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, or estrogen excess.
Physical Examination
Common physical examination findings of Adrenocortical carcinoma include hypertension, weakness, gynecomastia, and acne.
Laboratory Findings
Some patients with adrenocortical carcinoma may have elevated concentration of serum cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone or estrogen and reduced concentration of plasma renin and potassium.
X-ray
There are no findings associated with adrenocortical carcinoma.
MRI
MRI scans are helpful in differentiating between adrenal adenoma, carcinoma, and metastatic lesions. Due to the multiplanar capability of MRI, direct invasion of adjacent organs may be better shown.
CT
Adrenal CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) and differentiating it from other diseases, such as adrenocortical adenoma. Signs such as Internal hemorrhage, calcifications, CT density > 10 HU or necrosis increase the chances of ACC.
Other Imaging Studies
Adrenal angiography,venography, positron emission tomography and MIBG may be used in the diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma.
Biopsy
FNA cytology cannot distinguish a benign adrenal mass from adrenal carcinoma. Overexpression of TP53, IGF-2, and cyclin E are found in ACC but not a conclusive procedure.
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy may be required in treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma.
Surgery
Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for adrenocortical carcinoma.