A rare coexistence of non-functional adrenocortical carcinoma and multicentric papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a case report

J Med Case Rep. 2013 Jul 26:7:200. doi: 10.1186/1752-1947-7-200.

Abstract

Introduction: In this report, we describe a rare case of papillary thyroid carcinoma with adrenocortical carcinoma without excess hormone production.

Case presentation: A 40-year-old Turkish man was admitted to our institution with a large left adrenal mass that was identified during the work-up for shortness of breath. The patient did not have specific signs and symptoms of hormone excess. The mass was removed surgically. The pathological findings were consistent with adrenocortical carcinoma. The patient was also found to have a multicentric papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Conclusion: Most adrenocortical carcinomas and papillary thyroid carcinomas are sporadic; however, the occurrence of two different endocrine neoplasms during the same period of time is a rare situation, but it is possible, as in our patient. When an endocrine tumor is diagnosed, endocrinologists must be consider the possibility of the existence of another endocrine tumor.