Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmad Al Maradni, M.D. [2]
Overview
The most potent risk factors in the development of adrenocortical cancer are TP53 mutation, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and Carney complex.[1]
Risk Factors
Risk factor associated with adrenocortical carcinoma are:
Differential Diagnosis
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Clinical picture
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Imagings
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Laboratory tests
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Adrenal adenoma
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- Round and homogeneous density, smooth contour and sharp margination [15]
- Diameter less than 4 cm, unilateral location
- Low unenhanced CT attenuation values (<10 HU) (image 1)
- Rapid contrast medium washout (10 minutes after administration of contrast, an absolute contrast medium washout of more than 50 percent)
- Isointensity with liver on both T1 and T2 weighted MRI sequences
- Chemical shift evidence of lipid on MRI
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Adrenocortical carcinoma
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- Mass effect symptoms; symptoms related to excess glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, androgen, or estrogen secretion
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- Irregular shape
- Inhomogeneous density because of central areas of low attenuation due to tumor necrosis (image 4)
- Tumor calcification
- Diameter usually >4 cm
- Unilateral location
- High unenhanced CT attenuation values (>20 HU)
- Inhomogeneous enhancement on CT with intravenous contrast
- Delay in contrast medium washout (10 minutes after administration of contrast, an absolute contrast medium washout of less than 50 percent)
- Hypointensity compared with liver on T1 weighted MRI and high to intermediate signal intensity on T2 weighted MRI
- High standardized uptake value (SUV) on FDG-PET-CT study
- Evidence of local invasion or metastases
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- Serum DHEAS
- Measures of clinicallyindicated
- steroid
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Cushing's syndrome
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- Imaging may show adenoma if presents
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Pheochromocytoma
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- Increased attenuation on nonenhanced CT (>20 HU)
- Increased mass vascularity (image 2)
- Delay in contrast medium washout (10 minutes after administration of contrast, an absolute contrast medium washout of less than 50 percent)
- High signal intensity on T2 weighted MRI (image 3)
- Cystic and hemorrhagic changes
- Variable size and may be bilateral
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Adrenal metastasis
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- Symptoms and signs of primary malignancy especially lung cancer.
- General constitutional symptoms:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
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- Irregular shape and inhomogeneous nature
- Tendency to be bilateral
- High unenhanced CT attenuation values (>20 HU) and enhancement with intravenous contrast on CT
- Delay in contrast medium washout (10 minutes after administration of contrast, an absolute contrast medium washout of less than 50 percent)
- Isointensity or slightly less intense than the liver on T1 weighted MRI and high to intermediate signal intensity on T2 weighted MRI (representing an increased water content)
- Elevated standardized uptake value on FDG-PET scan
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References
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