Adrenal metastases: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
===Laboratory Findings=== | ===Laboratory Findings=== | ||
*There are no specific laboratory findings associated with adrenal metastases. | *There are no specific laboratory findings associated with adrenal metastases. | ||
===Imaging Findings=== | ===Imaging Findings=== | ||
*CT is the imaging modality of choice for adrenal metastases. | *CT is the imaging modality of choice for adrenal metastases. | ||
*On CT, adrenal metastases may demonstrate less than 50% washout. | *On CT, adrenal metastases may demonstrate less than 50% washout. |
Revision as of 17:28, 6 April 2016
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ammu Susheela, M.D. [2]
Synonyms and keywords: Synonym 1; Synonym 2; Synonym 3
Overview
Pathophysiology
- The pathogenesis of adrenal metastases is characterized by metastases from renal cell carcinoma, melanoma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and lymphoma.
- On gross pathology, unilateral, small asymptomatic lesion are characteristic findings of adrenal metastases.
Differentiating [disease name] from other Diseases
- Adrenal metastases must be differentiated from other diseases that cause tumors in adrenal gland such as:
- Nonfunctional adenoma
- Adrenal metastasis
- Primary carcinoma in adrenal glands
- Adrenal cyst
- Nonfunctional pheochromocytoma
Epidemiology and Demographics
- Adrenal metastases are thought to be present in up to 27% of patients with known malignant epithelial tumours at autopsy.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
- If left untreated, 20-35% of patients with cancer may progress to develop adrenal metastases.
- Common complication of adrenal metastases are central necrosis with adrenal hemorrhage and paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction.
Diagnosis
Symptoms
- Symptoms of adrenal metastases may include the following:
Physical Examination
- Patients with adrenal metastases usually appear cachectic.
- Physical examination may be remarkable for:
- [Abdominal mass]
Laboratory Findings
- There are no specific laboratory findings associated with adrenal metastases.
Imaging Findings
- CT is the imaging modality of choice for adrenal metastases.
- On CT, adrenal metastases may demonstrate less than 50% washout.
- On MRI, adrenal metastases may demonstrate:
- T1: usually exhibit low signal intensity
- T2: usually exhibit high signal intensity
- T1 C+ (Gd): usually has progressive enhancement after administration of contrast material.
Treatment
Medical Therapy
- The mainstay of therapy for adrenal metastases is chemotherapy.
Surgery
- Adrenalectomy in conjunction with chemotherapy is the most common approach to the treatment of adrenal metastases if primary disease is well controlled and the only site of metastasis if adrenal gland.
Prevention
- There are no primary preventive measures available for adrenal metastases.