Surgical complications after resection of adrenal carcinoma

J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2006 Sep;25(3):449-51.

Abstract

A 76-year-old woman with a history of dyspnoea, weight loss and abdominal pain, was admitted to our Hospital. Sonographic and tomographic examinations showed the presence of a large adrenal gland tumor and the promptly performed adrenalectomy and splenectomy proved that the lesion was an adrenal gland carcinoma infiltrating the spleen. One month after surgical treatment, the patient's general condition dramatically worsened due to development of perirenal abscess and renal infarction; finally, the patient died. In accordance with literature, we decided to only perform adrenalectomy and splenectomy that are the treatment of choice in these cases. In fact, complications are unforeseeable and avoiding the resection of the kidney surely offered the patient a better life quality.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / complications
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma / complications
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma / surgery*
  • Aged
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery*