[Unusual endocrine behavior in adrenal carcinoma. A case study]

Minerva Endocrinol. 1991 Oct-Dec;16(4):193-7.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

The Authors report a case of left adrenal mass incidentally discovered by upper abdominal echogram in a 40 year old man. Physical examination showed no signs of hypercortisolism and plasma cortisol and ACTH levels were in the normal range as well as urinary free cortisol. After adrenalectomy, 4 and 8 month follow-up was performed, without clinical, hormonal and TC evolution. Thirteen months later the patient was referred to our department for widespread oedema, hypertension, hypokalemia and alkalosis. These symptoms were associated with dramatically elevated concentrations of plasmatic and free urinary cortisol. TC showed a large mass in the same adrenal region and diffuse hepatic metastases. In spite of mitotane and ketoconazole therapy the patient died few weeks later.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / therapy
  • Adrenalectomy
  • Adult
  • Carcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / metabolism*
  • Incidence
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Hydrocortisone