Adrenocortical carcinoma (rare tumor): a case report and literature review

Received: May 21, 2012
Accepted: August 30, 2012
Ref: Mitra M. Adrenocortical carcinoma (rare tumor): a case report and literature review. Internet J Med Update. 2013 Jan;8(1):37-41.

Madhurima Mitra

Department of Pathology, GD Hospital and Diabetic Institute, Kolkata, India

(Corresponding Author: Dr. Madhurima Mitra, 2A Krishna Residency, Baroaritala, Keshtopur, Kolkata 700102, India; Mobile: +919830777892; Email: madhurima.mitra@hotmail.com)

ABSTRACT

A 40-year-old male patient presented with complaints of pain in abdomen, anorexia, low-grade fever and significant weight loss of one-month duration. USG and CT abdomen showed a large right adrenal space-occupying lesion with mass effect. The mass was resected but the patient succumbed to the surgery within 24 hours. On histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry a diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) was made. ACC is a rare endocrine and heterogeneous malignancy with incompletely understood pathogenesis, aggressive course and poor prognosis. Although surgery is the mainstay of treatment in ACC, yet due to late patient presentation with large masses especially in hormonally inactive tumors, many are too late for curative resection, as was this case.

KEY WORDS: Adrenal; Adrenocortical carcinoma; Histopathology; Immunohistochemistry

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