Adrenocortical carcinomas: surgical trends and results of a 253-patient series from the French Association of Endocrine Surgeons study group

STMN1 is Overexpressed in Adrenocortical Carcinoma and Promotes a More Aggressive Phenotype In Vitro

BACKGROUND

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy with a poor prognosis and few therapeutic options. Stathmin1 (STMN1) is a cytosolic protein involved in microtubule dynamics through inhibition of tubulin polymerization and promotion of microtubule depolymerization, which has been implicated in carcinogenesis and aggressive behavior in multiple epithelial malignancies. We aimed to evaluate expression of STMN1 in ACC and to elucidate how this may contribute to its malignant phenotype.

METHODS

STMN1 was identified by RNA sequencing as a highly differentially expressed gene in human ACC samples compared with benign adrenal tumors. Expression was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of a tissue microarray (TMA) from two independent cohorts. The biologic relevance of STMN1 was investigated in NCI-H295R cells by lentivirus-mediated silencing.

RESULTS

Differential gene expression demonstrated an eightfold increase in STMN1 messenger RNA (mRNA) in malignant compared with benign adrenal tissue. IHC showed significantly higher expression of STMN1 protein in ACC compared with normal and benign tissues. STMN1 knockdown in an ACC cell line resulted in decreased cell viability, cell-cycle arrest at G₀/G₁, and increased apoptosis in serum-starved conditions compared with scramble short hairpin RNA (shRNA) controls. STMN1 knockdown also decreased migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

STMN1 is overexpressed in human ACC samples, and knockdown of this target in vitro resulted in a less aggressive phenotype of ACC, particularly under serum-starved conditions. Further study is needed to investigate the feasibility of interfering with STMN1 as a potential therapeutic target.

A 13-Steroid Serum Panel Based on LC-MS/MS: Use in Detection of Adrenocortical Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy, with an annual incidence of 1 or 2 cases per million. Biochemical diagnosis is challenging because up to two-thirds of the carcinomas are biochemically silent, resulting from de facto enzyme deficiencies in steroid hormone biosynthesis. Urine steroid profiling by GC-MS is an effective diagnostic test for ACC because of its capacity to detect and quantify the increased metabolites of steroid pathway synthetic intermediates. Corresponding serum assays for most steroid pathway intermediates are usually unavailable because of low demand or lack of immunoassay specificity. Serum steroid analysis by LC-MS/MS is increasingly replacing immunoassay, in particular for steroids most subject to cross-reaction.

METHODS

We developed an LC-MS/MS method for the measurement of serum androstenedione, corticosterone, cortisol, cortisone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, 21-deoxycortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and testosterone. Assay value in discriminating ACC from other adrenal lesions (phaeochromocytoma/paraganglioma, cortisol-producing adenoma, and lesions demonstrating no hormonal excess) was then investigated.

RESULTS

In ACC cases, between 4 and 7 steroids were increased (median = 6), and in the non-ACC groups, up to 2 steroids were increased. 11-Deoxycortisol was markedly increased in all cases of ACC. All steroids except testosterone in males and corticosterone and cortisone in both sexes were of use in discriminating ACC from non-ACC adrenal lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum steroid paneling by LC-MS/MS is useful for diagnosing ACC by combining the measurement of steroid hormones and their precursors in a single analysis.

Complete response in a patient with stage IV adrenocortical carcinoma treated with adjuvant trans-catheter arterial chemo-embolization (TACE)

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare cancer, with estimate population incidence of 0.7-2.0 cases per 1 million each year. It also carries poor prognosis with estimated 5-year survival of less than 15% of those with metastatic disease and has a poor response to cytotoxic treatment. A randomized controlled trial published in 2012 by Fassnacht et al. demonstrated improved progression-free survival with first-line etoposide-doxirubicin-cisplatin-mitotane (EDP-M) compared to first-line streptozocin-mitotane in patients with stage III-IV disease. We report a case of a 25-year-old female diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma with liver and lung metastases treated with adjuvant EDP-M chemotherapy. During her treatment, the patient experienced ongoing significant liver-associated burden of disease, which prompted a trial of trans-hepatic arterial chemoembolization with doxorubicin and mitomycin. The patient subsequently experienced complete remission of disease at 18 months with no fludeoxyglucose (FDG) avid lesions on PET/CT.

Adrenal Imaging

Cross-sectional imaging can make a specific diagnosis in lesions, such as myelolipomas, cysts, and hemorrhage, and is often sufficient to distinguish benign from malignant adrenal processes. CT and MRI are useful studies to identify pheochromocytomas and cortisol-secreting or androgen-secreting tumors. In patients with primary aldosteronism, adrenal venous sampling remains the most accurate localizing study and should be performed in all patients older than 35. Radiolabeled isotope studies serve as second-line diagnostic tests for malignant adrenal tumors, primary or metastatic, as well as for pheochromocytoma. Nuclear imaging studies should follow a robust hormonal diagnosis and be correlated with findings on cross-sectional imaging.

Circannual variation of mitotane and its metabolites plasma levels in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Mitotane is the reference drug for the adrenocortical carcinoma treatment; its pharmacological activity seems to depend on drug transformation in two active metabolites: o,p'-DDE (dichlorodiphenylethene) and o,p'-DDA (dichlorodiphenylacetate). Mitotane and metabolites are lipophilic agents; thus, they tend to accumulate into adipose tissues (white and brown), which change their prevalence seasonally. Aim of the work was to evaluate mitotane and metabolites plasma levels variation over the year, in adrenocortical cancer patients treated with Lysodren^® for at least 6 months.

METHODS

We enrolled a group of 86 adrenocortical carcinoma diagnosed patients, who underwent radical surgery and started mitotane as adjuvant treatment. For drug and metabolites plasma level (from samples collected ~12 h after the dose administration of mitotane, just before the subsequent administration) determination, a validated chromatographic method was used.

KEY FINDINGS

Results showed an evidence of a seasonal trend for the three substance (o,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDE and o,p'-DDA) plasma levels, in terms of acrophases and lower values. Furthermore, it came out that male patients need a higher significant mitotane drug dose than female patients to reach mitotane therapeutic window.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, this is the first study assessing a mitotane plasma level variation over the year, but further studies in larger cohorts are required.

Topoisomerase 2α and thymidylate synthase expression in adrenocortical cancer

Topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) and thymidylate synthase (TS) are known prognostic parameters in several tumors and also predictors of efficacy of anthracyclines, topoisomerase inhibitors and fluoropirimidines, respectively. Expression of TOP2A and TS mRNA was assessed in 98 patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) and protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in a subset of 39 tumors. Ninety-two patients were radically resected for stage II-III disease and 38 of them received adjuvant mitotane. Twenty-six patients with metastatic disease received the EDP-M (etoposide, doxorubicin, Adriamycin, cisplatin plus mitotane). TOP2A and TS expression in ACC tissue was directly correlated with the clinical data. Both markers were not associated with either disease free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) in multivariate analyses and failed to be associated to mitotane efficacy. Disease response or stabilization to EDP-M treatment was observed in 12/17 (71%) and 1/9 (11%) patients with high and low TOP2A expressing tumors (P = 0.0039) and 9/13 (69%) and 4/13 (31%) patients with high and low TS expressing ACC, respectively (P = 0.049). High TOP2A expression was significantly associated with longer time to progression (TTP) after EDP-M. TOP2A and TS proteins assessed by immunohistochemistry significantly correlated with mRNA expression. Immunohistochemical TOP2A expression was associated with a non-significant better response and longer TTP after EDP-M. TOP2A and TS were neither prognostic nor predictive of mitotane efficacy in ACC patients. The predictive role of TOP2A expression of EDP-M activity suggests a significant contribution of Adriamycin and etoposide for the efficacy of the EDP scheme.

Curative Surgical Resection of Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Determining Long-term Outcome Based on Conditional Disease-free Probability

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate conditional disease-free survival (CDFS) for patients who underwent curative intent surgery for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC).

BACKGROUND

ACC is a rare but aggressive tumor. Survival estimates are usually reported as survival from the time of surgery. CDFS estimates may be more clinically relevant by accounting for the changing likelihood of disease-free survival (DFS) according to time elapsed after surgery.

METHODS

CDFS was assessed using a multi-institutional cohort of patients. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate factors associated with DFS. Three-year CDFS (CDFS3) estimates at "x" year after surgery were calculated as follows: CDFS3 = DFS(x+3)/DFS(x).

RESULTS

One hundred ninety-two patients were included in the study cohort; median patient age was 52 years. On presentation, 36% of patients had a functional tumor and median size was 11.5 cm. Most patients underwent R0 resection (75%) and 9% had N1 disease. Overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS was 59%, 34%, and 22%, respectively. Using CDFS estimates, the probability of remaining disease free for an additional 3 years given that the patient had survived without disease at 1, 3, and 5 years, was 43%, 53%, and 70%, respectively. Patients with less favorable prognosis at baseline demonstrated the greatest increase in CDFS3 over time (eg, capsular invasion: 28%-88%, Δ60% vs no capsular invasion: 51%-87%, Δ36%).

CONCLUSIONS

DFS estimates for patients with ACC improved dramatically over time, in particular among patients with initial worse prognoses. CDFS estimates may provide more clinically relevant information about the changing likelihood of DFS over time.

Adrenocortical Carcinoma Arising in an Adrenal Rest: a Case Report and Review of the Literature

Carcinomas arising from embryonic adrenal rests are rare with only a handful of reported cases. We report a case of an adrenocortical carcinoma arising from an adrenal rest located between the bladder and prostate in a 51 year-old man. The patient presented following a year of rectal pain and constipation. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a 9 cm pelvic mass that appeared to arise from the soft tissue between the bladder and prostate, with displacement of the organs and narrowing of the rectal lumen, suspected to be a sarcoma. The surgically resected specimen showed a well-circumscribed, partially encapsulated tumor measuring 10.0 cm in greatest dimension. Both adrenal glands were identified intraoperatively. Grossly, the lesion was heterogeneous tan-brown to yellow, hemorrhagic and necrotic. Histology revealed sheets and nests of high-grade pleomorphic tumor cells with abundant clear to vacuolated cytoplasm with areas of necrosis, a high mitotic index (>10 mitoses/10 HPF) and foci suspicious for lymphovascular invasion. Adjacent adrenal cortical-type tissue was identified. Immunohistochemical stains revealed the tumor cells were weakly and focally positive for MiTF, Melan-A, inhibin and synaptophysin, and negative for CKAE1/AE3, HMB-45, calretinin, EMA, SMA, chromogranin, PAX8, MDM2 and CDK4. Based upon the morphologic and immunohistochemical profile, this was diagnosed as an adrenocortical carcinoma, arising in an adrenal rest. To our knowledge, no such tumor has been previously described in this location.

Long-Term Outcomes of Adjuvant Mitotane Therapy in Patients With Radically Resected Adrenocortical Carcinoma

CONTEXT

In 2007, a retrospective case-control study provided evidence that adjuvant mitotane prolongs recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with radically resected adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC).

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

We aimed to confirm the prognostic role of adjuvant mitotane in the same series after 9 additional years of follow-up.

SETTING, PATIENTS, AND INTERVENTIONS

One hundred sixty-two ACC patients who did not recur or die after a landmark period of 3 months were considered. Forty-seven patients were enrolled in four Italian centers where adjuvant mitotane was routinely recommended (mitotane group), 45 patients in four Italian centers where no adjuvant strategy was undertaken (control group 1), and 70 German patients left untreated after surgery (control group 2).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary aim was RFS, the secondary was overall survival.

RESULTS

An increased risk of recurrence was found in both control cohorts [group 1: hazard ratio (HR) = 2.98; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.75 to 5.09; P < 0.0001; group 2: HR = 2.61; 95% CI, 1.56 to 4.36; P < 0.0001] compared with the mitotane group. The risk of death was higher in control group 1 (HR = 2.03; 95% CI, 1.17 to 3.51; P = 0.011) but not in control group 2 (HR = 1.60; 95% CI, 0.94 to 2.74; P = 0.083), which had better prognostic factors and more aggressive treatment of recurrences than control group 1. The benefit of adjuvant mitotane on RFS was observed regardless of the hormone secretory status.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant mitotane is associated with prolonged RFS, without any apparent influence by the tumor secretory status. The retrospective nature of the study is a major limitation.

European Society of Endocrine Surgeons (ESES) and European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENSAT) recommendations for the surgical management of adrenocortical carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Radical surgery provides the best chance of cure for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), but perioperative surgical care for these patients is yet to be standardized.

METHODS

A working group appointed jointly by ENSAT and ESES used Delphi methodology to produce evidence-based recommendations for the perioperative surgical care of patients with ACC. Papers were retrieved from electronic databases. Evidence and recommendations were classified according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system, and were discussed until consensus was reached within the group.

RESULTS

Twenty-five recommendations for the perioperative surgical care of patients with ACC were formulated. The quality of evidence is low owing to the rarity of the disease and the lack of prospective surgical trials. Multi-institutional prospective cohort studies and prospective RCTs are urgently needed and should be strongly encouraged.

CONCLUSION

The present evidence-based recommendations provide comprehensive advice on the optimal perioperative care for patients undergoing surgery for ACC.

New insights and future perspectives in the therapeutic strategy of adrenocortical carcinoma (Review)

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy with an incidence ranging from 0.7 to 2.0 cases/million people per year. Hypercortisolism represents the most common clinical presentation in many patients although, less frequently, some ACC secreting androgens and estrogens are even more pathognomonic compared to cortisol secretion. Currently, radical surgery, when feasible, is still the only curative therapy. Mitotane, an adrenolytic drug, is used in the adjuvant setting and in combination with chemotherapy drugs in metastatic disease. The use of radiotherapy remains controversial, being indicated only in selected cases. New targeted therapies, such as insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1), mammalian-target of rapamycin (m-TOR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors and others, have recently been investigated with disappointing clinical results. The partial effectiveness of current treatments mandates the need for new therapeutic strategies against this tumor.

Practical Approach to Adrenal Imaging

Various pathologies can affect the adrenal gland. Noninvasive cross-sectional imaging is used for evaluating adrenal masses. Accurate diagnosis of adrenal lesions is critical, especially in cancer patients; the presence of adrenal metastasis changes prognosis and treatment. Characterization of adrenal lesions predominantly relies on morphologic and physiologic features to enable correct diagnosis and management. Key diagnostic features to differentiate benign and malignant adrenal lesions include presence/absence of intracytoplasmic lipid, fat cells, hemorrhage, calcification, or necrosis and locoregional and distant disease; enhancement pattern and washout values; and lesion size and stability. This article reviews a spectrum of adrenal pathologies.

Actual 10-year survivors following resection of adrenocortical carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy with limited therapeutic options beyond surgical resection. The characteristics of actual long-term survivors following surgical resection for ACC have not been previously reported.

METHOD

Patients who underwent resection for ACC at one of 13 academic institutions participating in the US Adrenocortical Carcinoma Group from 1993 to 2014 were analyzed. Patients were stratified into four groups: early mortality (died within 2 years), late mortality (died within 2-5 years), actual 5-year survivor (survived at least 5 years), and actual 10-year survivor (survived at least 10 years). Patients with less than 5 years of follow-up were excluded.

RESULTS

Among the 180 patients available for analysis, there were 49 actual 5-year survivors (27%) and 12 actual 10-year survivors (7%). Patients who experienced early mortality had higher rates of cortisol-secreting tumors, nodal metastasis, synchronous distant metastasis, and R1 or R2 resections (all P < 0.05). The need for multi-visceral resection, perioperative blood transfusion, and adjuvant therapy correlated with early mortality. However, nodal involvement, distant metastasis, and R1 resection did not preclude patients from becoming actual 10-year survivors. Ten of twelve actual 10-year survivors were women, and of the seven 10-year survivors who experienced disease recurrence, five had undergone repeat surgery to resect the recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Surgery for ACC can offer a 1 in 4 chance of actual 5-year survival and a 1 in 15 chance of actual 10-year survival. Long-term survival was often achieved with repeat resection for local or distant recurrence, further underscoring the important role of surgery in managing patients with ACC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:971-976. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Adrenocortical carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND

The safety, efficacy, and prognostic implications of resection of adrenocortical carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus are poorly described.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed during a 30-year period on patients who underwent resection of locally advanced, nonmetastatic adrenocortical carcinoma. We compared patients with and without inferior vena cava tumor thrombus, examining perioperative characteristics, completeness of resection, mortality, and survival.

RESULTS

We identified 65 patients who underwent resection of locally advanced (T4N0 and T4N1) adrenocortical carcinoma (28 patients with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus, 37 noninferior vena cava tumor thrombus). Rate of complete resection, adjuvant chemotherapy, and short-term postoperative morbidity was similar between groups. Overall survival was similar at 12-months. At 24 months overall survival was less in the inferior vena cava tumor thrombus group (59% vs 30%, P = .04). Differential survival through 60-month follow-up favored the noninferior vena cava tumor thrombus group (36% vs 0%, P = .001). Subgroup analysis including only patients with complete resection demonstrates similar survival at 24-months but at 36-months survival favored the noninferior vena cava tumor thrombus patients (65% vs 29%, P = .047) and this continued through 60 months (40% vs 0%, P = .049).

CONCLUSION

Attempt at complete resection of adrenocortical carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus seems justified particularly as short-term safety and survival are similar to patients without inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. However, survival beyond 36-months is limited in patients with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. Patients being evaluated for resection in the setting of inferior vena cava tumor thrombus should be selected carefully.

Surgery for recurrent adrenocortical carcinoma: A multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare neoplasm with a high rate of recurrence. We studied the impact of surgery on the survival in recurrent adrenocortical carcinoma patients.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of patients with recurrent adrenocortical carcinoma, managed in 5 French University Hospitals between 1980 and 2014. We compared surgery and medical management for ACC recurrence.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine patients were included, 46 of whom had an initial R0 resection. Twenty-nine patients underwent reoperation for recurrence, while 30 had nonoperative treatments. Operated patients had a greater median overall survival after recurrence than nonoperated patients (91 vs 15 months; P < .001). Patients operated on for local or distant recurrence had similar overall survival (110 vs 91 months; P = .81). In nonoperated patients, types of medical managements did not impact survival. Surgery for recurrence (P = .037) and a disease-free interval between initial resection and recurrence >12 months (P = .059) were both prognostic factors for improved survival, whereas age, stage, and tumor size (P ≥ .2 each) were not. A Ki67 <25% tended to be associated with better overall survival (P = .051).

CONCLUSION

Both surgery for recurrence and disease-free interval between the initial resection of an adrenocortical carcinoma and recurrence >12 months are associated with better overall survival.

Conditional survival among patients with adrenal cortical carcinoma determined using a national population-based surveillance, epidemiology, and end results registry

Surgical excision is essential for management of the rare and aggressive neoplasm adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC). Five-year overall survival (OS) after surgery for ACC is dependent on disease stage, but for all stages the risk of death declines with time after surgery. We calculated the effect of post-surgical duration on conditional survival (CS) among ACC patients. A total of 641 patients with M0 ACC were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry (1988–2012). OS for the entire cohort at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 years was 81.4%, 66.8%, 56.3%, 50.3%, 47.2% and 44.3%, respectively. CS for an additional year given prior survival for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 years was 81.4%, 81.1%, 83.0%, 87.5%, 93.4% and 93.4%, respectively. Age, tumor stage, tumor grade and marital status affected OS and CS. Increases in 1-year CS over time were more pronounced in patients with poorer prognostic factors. With longer follow-up, tumor stage- and grade-dependent differences in CS decreased or even disappeared. CS may provide more meaningful life expectancy predictions for survivors of ACC than conventional survival analysis.

Procedural and clinical outcomes of percutaneous adrenal biopsy in a high-risk population for adrenal malignancy

OBJECTIVE

The role of percutaneous adrenal biopsy in a high-risk population for adrenal malignancy has not been fully investigated. Our aim was to describe the clinical presentation leading to the adrenal biopsy and evaluate the diagnostic performance, complications and non diagnostic rate of adrenal biopsy.

DESIGN

Single-centre, retrospective cohort study.

PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS

Medical records of patients who underwent adrenal biopsy between 1994 and 2014 were reviewed. Adrenal biopsy outcome was compared to a predefined reference standard.

RESULTS

Biopsy was performed in 418 patients [62% men, median age 69 years (range, 15-91)] on 419 adrenal lesions, median size 3·1 cm (range, 0·6-24). The main indication for adrenal mass biopsy was (349/419, 83%) suspected adrenal metastasis from a known or suspected extra-adrenal primary source. Only 116 of 419, 28% of cases had prebiopsy biochemical testing for pheochromocytoma. Biopsy-related complications occurred in 4% of the patients. Histology revealed a metastasis in 231 of 419 (55%), benign adrenal tissue in 137 of 419 (33%), adrenocortical carcinoma in eight of 419 (2%), other lesions in 23 of 419 (5%) including seven cases of pheochromocytoma and six cases of infectious process. Biopsy was nondiagnostic in 20 of 419 (5%). All adrenal masses with unenhanced radiodensity ≤10 HU (42/137, 31%) proved to be benign adrenal adenomas. Adrenal biopsy diagnosed malignancy with a sensitivity of 88·5%, specificity of 91·5%, positive predictive value of 93·4% and negative predictive value of 85·5%.

CONCLUSION

When used in the appropriate clinical setting, adrenal biopsy is a powerful tool in the diagnostic algorithm of the evaluation of adrenal masses with features suspicious for malignancy. Efforts to increase awareness to perform biochemical testing for pheochromocytoma prior to adrenal biopsy are needed.

Nomograms to Predict Recurrence-Free and Overall Survival After Curative Resection of Adrenocortical Carcinoma

IMPORTANCE

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare but aggressive endocrine tumor, and the prognostic factors associated with long-term outcomes after surgical resection remain poorly defined.

OBJECTIVES

To define clinicopathological variables associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after curative surgical resection of ACC and to propose nomograms for individual risk prediction.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Nomograms to predict RFS and OS after surgical resection of ACC were proposed using a multi-institutional cohort of patients who underwent curative-intent surgery for ACC at 13 major institutions in the United States between March 17, 1994, and December 22, 2014. The dates of our study analysis were April 15, 2015, to May 12, 2015.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The discriminative ability and calibration of the nomograms to predict RFS and OS were tested using C statistics, calibration plots, and Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS

In total, 148 patients who underwent surgery for ACC were included in the study. The median patient age was 53 years, and 65.5% (97 of 148) of the patients were female. One-third of the patients (35.1% [52 of 148]) had a functional tumor, and the median tumor size was 11.2 cm. Most patients (77.7% [115 of 148]) underwent R0 resection, and 8.8% (13 of 148) of the patients had N1 disease. Using backward stepwise selection of clinically important variables with the Akaike information criterion, the following variables were incorporated in the prediction of RFS: tumor size of at least 12 cm (hazard ratio [HR], 3.00; 95% CI, 1.63-5.70; P < .001), positive nodal status (HR, 4.78; 95% CI, 1.47-15.50; P = .01), stage III/IV (HR, 1.80; 95% CI, 0.95-3.39; P = .07), cortisol-secreting tumor (HR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.27-4.48; P = .01), and capsular invasion (HR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.02-3.74; P = .04). Factors selected as predicting OS were tumor size of at least 12 cm (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.00-3.17; P = .05), positive nodal status (HR, 5.89; 95% CI, 2.05-16.87; P = .001), and R1 margin (HR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.51-5.30; P = .001). The discriminative ability and calibration of the nomograms revealed good predictive ability as indicated by the C statistics (0.74 for RFS and 0.70 for OS).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Independent predictors of survival and recurrence risk after curative-intent surgery for ACC were selected to create nomograms predicting RFS and OS. The nomograms were able to stratify patients into prognostic groups and performed well on internal validation.

Lymphadenectomy for Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Is There a Therapeutic Benefit?

BACKGROUND

Lymph node metastasis is an established predictor of poor outcome for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC); however, routine lymphadenectomy during surgical resection of ACC is not widely performed and its therapeutic role remains unclear.

METHODS

Patients undergoing margin-negative resection for localized ACC were identified from a multi-institutional database. Patients were stratified into 2 groups based on the surgeon's effort or not to perform a lymphadenectomy as documented in the operative note. Clinical, pathologic, and outcome data were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Of 120 patients who met inclusion criteria from 1993 to 2014, 32 (27 %) underwent lymphadenectomy. Factors associated with lymphadenectomy were tumor size (12 vs. 9.5 cm; p = .007), palpable mass at presentation (26 vs. 12 %; p = .07), suspicious lymph nodes on preoperative imaging (44 vs. 7 %; p < .001), and need for multivisceral resection (78 vs. 36 %; p < .001). Median number of lymph nodes harvested was higher in the lymphadenectomy group (5.5 vs. 0; p < .001). In-hospital mortality (0 vs. 1.3 %; p = .72) and grade 3/4 complication rates (0 vs. 12 %; p = .061) were not significantly different. Patients who underwent lymphadenectomy had improved overall survival (5-year 76 vs. 59 %; p = .041). The benefit of lymphadenectomy on overall survival persisted on multivariate analysis (HR = 0.17; p = .006) controlling for adverse preoperative and intraoperative factors associated with lymphadenectomy, such as tumor size, palpable mass, irregular tumor edges, suspicious nodes on imaging, and multivisceral resection.

CONCLUSIONS

In this multicenter study of adrenocortical carcinoma patients undergoing R0 resection, the surgeon's effort to dissect peritumoral lymph nodes was independently associated with improved overall survival.

Adrenocortical carcinoma surgery-surgical extent and approach

PURPOSE

Adequate tumour resection is the gold standard of care for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). However, the optimal surgical strategy remains debatable. In our opinion, the extent of surgery (adequate tumour resection) is the primary concern, rather than the surgical approach (laparoscopic or open). We propose that both surgical approaches have a role in the management of ACC provided the extent of resection is selected based on patient and tumour characteristics and accurate pre-operative investigations.

METHODS

A review of 25 curative intent resections for ACC between 2002 and 2013 was done. Group A (16 patients-64 %) included all patients who underwent planned radical adrenalectomy without any other resection and group B (9 patients-36 %) included all patients who underwent a planned extensive resection based on pre-operative investigations.

RESULTS

Of 471 adrenalectomies, 25 were performed for ACC with curative intent. Tumours were significantly larger in group B with mean size of 119.6 versus 62.4 mm in group A (p = 0.002). Tumours in group B also had higher WEISS scores (mean score 7 vs 5.2, p = 0.033) and almost always required multi-organ resection. The recurrence rate was 37.5 % (n = 6) for group A and 44.4 % for group B (n = 4), p = 1.00. Poor prognosis was associated with significantly higher WEISS scores (p = 0.016) and a trend towards more advanced ENSAT disease stage (p = 0.06). Estimated overall survival was 74.17 months (group A 67.3 vs group B 70.1, p = 0.244).

CONCLUSIONS

Accurate pre-operative staging is critical to select a tailored surgical strategy. Multi-organ resection remains the preferred approach for large and potentially invasive ACC. Some patients presenting with smaller ACC may benefit from a more extensive resection.

Prognostic factors in stage III-IV adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC): an European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumor (ENSAT) study

BACKGROUND

The clinical course of advanced adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is heterogeneous. Our study aimed primarily to refine and make headway in the prognostic stratification of advanced ACC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with advanced ENSAT ACC (stage III or stage IV) at diagnosis registered between 2000 and 2009 in the ENSAT database were enrolled. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Parameters of potential prognostic relevance were selected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out: model 1 'before surgery'; model 2 'post-surgery'.

RESULTS

Four hundred and forty-four patients with advanced ENSAT ACC (stage III: 210; stage IV: 234) were analyzed. After a median follow-up of 55.2 months, the median OS was 24 months. A modified ENSAT (mENSAT) classification was validated: stage III (invasion of surrounding tissues/organs or the vena renalis/cava) and stage IVa, IVb, IVc (2, 3 or >3 metastatic organs, including N, respectively). Two- or 5-year OS was 73%, 46%, 26% and 15% or 50%, 15%, 14% and 2% for stages III, IVa, IVb and IVc, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, mENSAT stages (stages IVa, IVb, or IVc, respectively) were significantly correlated with OS (P < 0.0001), as well as additional parameters: age ≥ 50 years (P < 0.0001), tumor- or hormone-related symptoms (P = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively) in model 1 but also the R status (P = 0.001) and Grade (Weiss >6 and/or Ki67 ≥ 20%, P = 0.06) in model 2.

CONCLUSION

The mENSAT classification and GRAS parameters (Grade, R status, Age and Symptoms) were found to best stratify the prognosis of patients with advanced ACC.

Percutaneous microwave ablation of adrenal tumours under ultrasound guidance in 33 patients with 35 tumours: A single-centre experience

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) of adrenal tumours under ultrasound (US) guidance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 33 consecutive patients with 35 tumours were enrolled. The term 'technical success' is used to indicate whether the tumour was treated according to protocol and was covered completely by the ablation zone. Technical success, local tumour progression (LTP) and complications were recorded. For seven patients with eight biochemically active tumours, biochemical markers were recorded prior to and after the ablation procedure.

RESULTS

In this study, technical success was achieved in all cases. Follow-up imaging was performed on 31 patients with 33 tumours (excluding two patients who were lost to follow-up). LTP occurred for five tumours (15.2%) at a mean of 24 months of follow-up (range 3-82 months). In the subgroup analysis of tumour size and LTP, a significant difference was noted between tumours with a diameter ≤5 cm compared with those >5 cm (p < 0.01). For seven cases of metabolically active adrenal tumours, technical success was confirmed in all patients, and LTP occurred in one case of recurrent pheochromocytoma. All patients demonstrated the normalisation of abnormal biochemical markers after ablation. No major complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous MWA under US guidance is effective in terms of good local control of adrenal tumours with a diameter of less than or equal to 5 cm and is capable of treating biochemically active tumours harbouring clinical syndromes.

Recurrence and mortality prognostic factors in childhood adrenocortical tumors: Analysis from the Brazilian National Institute of Cancer experience

Prognostic markers that can help identifying precocious risk of unfavorable outcomes in patients with childhood adrenocortical tumors (ACTs) are still unclear. This observational and retrospective study aimed to identify clinical and pathology prognostic factors of recurrence and death in a tertiary cancer center population. Clinical, pathology, demographic, staging, and therapy data from patients with childhood ACT (median age: 3.6 years) treated at the Brazilian National Institute of Cancer between 1997 and 2015 were assessed. Univariate and bivariate analyses were used to study the association of clinical and pathology characteristics with recurrence and mortality. Recurrence and disease-related mortality were the main outcomes. Twenty-seven patients were included. Complete tumor resection was performed in 21 cases. The median tumor size was 8.2 cm. Mitotane was the most common adjuvant/palliative therapy (n = 13). Recurrence occurred in 6 patients, after a median time of 7.2 months, and was more common among those with larger tumors (P =.008), higher Weiss score (P =.001), and microscopic tumoral necrosis (P =.002). Ten patients died from the disease. Older age (P =.04), larger tumor size (P =.002), metastatic disease (P =.003), previous recurrence (P =.003), incomplete resection (P =.002), intraoperative tumor spillage (P =.005), higher Weiss score (P =.03), microscopic necrosis (P =.005), and capsular invasion (P =.02) were all associated with increased death risk. Even though complete tumor resection was performed in most cases, a considerable number of cases of childhood ACT resulted in recurrence and death. Early identification of unfavorable outcomes is essential to determine ideal therapy and appropriate surveillance.

Primary adrenal sarcomatoid carcinoma metastatic to the lung: Case report and review of the literature

Adrenal sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare adrenal carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, only 11 cases have been reported since 1987. Adrenal sarcomatoid carcinoma presents a diagnostic challenge due to its atypical symptoms and histological patterns. At the time of diagnosis, a large percentage of patients are already at the metastatic stage and succumb within a few months. The present study reports a case of a 59-year-old man presenting with asthenia and weight loss with adrenal sarcomatoid carcinoma metastatic to the lung. A computed tomography (CT) scan and ultrasonography of the patient's abdomen suggested a large homogeneous mass in the right adrenal gland, and a CT scan of his chest suggested lung metastasis. Right adrenalectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed that the tumor was composed of sarcomatous and carcinomatous differentiation elements. Immunohistochemical examination revealed tumor cell positivity for vimentin and cytokeratin. At the 6-month follow-up the patient exhibited no disease progression and refused further proposed treatment. The patient was alive at the time of writing the current report. The present case report additionally reviews the literature, for the purpose of raising awareness of these rare lesions and assisting in achieving accurate diagnoses and effective treatment.

Clinicopathological Features Associated With the Prognosis of Patients With Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma: Usefulness of the Ki-67 Index

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumor with a poor prognosis. Identification of clinicopathological features and molecular prognostic markers is important for the treatment of ACC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and histopathological features of ACC for prognostic prediction.This retrospective cohort study included 86 patients pathologically confirmed with ACC in a single center. Ki-67 index was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining of paraffin-embedded samples.The median age of the 86 (46 male and 40 female) patients with ACC was 49 years old (range 21-78), and the mean primary tumor size was 12.2 ± 5.2 cm. ACCs were incidentally found in 29 patients (34%). Three patients (3%) had bilateral ACC, and 59 patients (69%) had distant metastasis (37 synchronous and 22 metachronous). Twenty-four patients (28%) had symptoms from hormone excess or mass effects, and 25 patients (29%) had nonspecific symptoms. The 5-year survival rate for ACC was 28%. Sixty patients underwent surgical treatment, including 37 patients with an R0 resection. Tumor size, Ki-67 index, stage, and resection status were independently associated with overall survival by multivariate analysis. In patients with R0 resection, recurrence was significantly associated with larger tumor size and functional tumor.Tumor size, Ki-67 index, stage, and resection status are important prognostic indicators of survival in ACC patients.

Adrenocortical carcinoma with inferior vena cava thrombus: Renal preserving surgery

Adrenocortical carcinoma with tumor thrombus extending via an adrenal vein into the inferior vena cava is uncommon. We describe a left side kidney-preserving surgery in such a patient where, after transection of the main renal vein at the point of insertion of the adrenal vein, the left kidney was being drained by lumbar and gonadal veins.

Does nephrectomy during radical adrenalectomy for stage II adrenocortical cancer affect patient outcome?

PURPOSE

To evaluate if including nephrectomy in the standard surgical approach to stage II adrenocortical cancer (i.e., adrenalectomy) might modify oncologic outcome of patients.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis involving 41 patients with stage II adrenocortical cancer (ACC) who had undergone radical surgery. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical procedure: group A = radical adrenalectomy alone, group AN = radical adrenalectomy + radical nephrectomy. Oncologic effectiveness of the procedures was tested comparing the recurrence-free and overall survival of patients of A vs AN groups.

RESULTS

The group A consisted of 25 patients and group AN of 16 patients. No differences were noted between the two groups in terms of demographic data and ACC characteristics. During follow-up, 15/25 (60 %) patients of group A vs 14/16 (87.5 %) patients of group AN experienced a recurrence, after a median of 36 months in group A and 10 months in group AN (p = 0.06); a significant impairment of renal function was recorded in patients of AN group with respect to those of group A. Finally, 13/25 (52 %) patients of group A and 10/16 (62.5 %) patients of group AN died due to ACC-related causes. No differences in survival times were noted (p = 0.3).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that adjunctive nephrectomy does not modify the oncologic results of adrenalectomy in the treatment of stage II ACC in terms of recurrence-free and overall survival. Thus, when there are no signs of ACC local invasion, surgeon should make every effort to preserve the kidney.

Outcomes of Adjuvant Mitotane after Resection of Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A 13-Institution Study by the US Adrenocortical Carcinoma Group

BACKGROUND

Current treatment guidelines recommend adjuvant mitotane after resection of adrenocortical carcinoma with high-risk features (eg, tumor rupture, positive margins, positive lymph nodes, high grade, elevated mitotic index, and advanced stage). Limited data exist on the outcomes associated with these practice guidelines.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients who underwent resection of adrenocortical carcinoma from 1993 to 2014 at the 13 academic institutions of the US Adrenocortical Carcinoma Group were included. Factors associated with mitotane administration were determined. Primary end points were recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Of 207 patients, 88 (43%) received adjuvant mitotane. Receipt of mitotane was associated with hormonal secretion (58% vs 32%; p = 0.001), advanced TNM stage (stage IV: 42% vs 23%; p = 0.021), adjuvant chemotherapy (37% vs 5%; p < 0.001), and adjuvant radiation (17% vs 5%; p = 0.01), but was not associated with tumor rupture, margin status, or N-stage. Median follow-up was 44 months. Adjuvant mitotane was associated with decreased RFS (10.0 vs 27.9 months; p = 0.007) and OS (31.7 vs 58.9 months; p = 0.006). On multivariable analysis, mitotane was not independently associated with RFS or OS, and margin status, advanced TNM stage, and receipt of chemotherapy were associated with survival. After excluding all patients who received chemotherapy, adjuvant mitotane remained associated with decreased RFS and similar OS; multivariable analyses again showed no association with recurrence or survival. Stage-specific analyses in both cohorts revealed no association between adjuvant mitotane and improved RFS or OS.

CONCLUSIONS

When accounting for stage and adverse tumor and treatment-related factors, adjuvant mitotane after resection of adrenocortical carcinoma is not associated with improved RFS or OS. Current guidelines should be revisited and prospective trials are needed.

Adrenocortical carcinoma: Retrospective analysis of the last 22 years

BACKGROUND

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. The clinical experience acquired, even from a small number of cases, has improved understanding of this condition. The purpose of this study is to characterize patients with ACC followed up at a Portuguese reference center over the past 22 years.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of clinical records of patients with histopathological diagnosis of ACC followed up from 1992 to 2014.

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 22 patients, 20 of them female. Eleven patients were in stage II, four in stage III, and five in stage IV; 13 patients had functioning lesions. Adrenalectomy was performed in 20 patients, with complete tumor resection in 90% of the cases. During follow-up, eight patients experienced recurrence of local disease, and 12 distant metastases. Fourteen patients received mitotane, 35.7% (n=5) as adjuvant therapy and 64.3% (n=9) after recurrence; therapeutic plasma mitotane levels were achieved in 70% of patients. Stage III patients who received adjuvant therapy had longer survival time (13.5 vs. 2.5 months). Two patients were given chemotherapy associated to mitotane. Median survival was 11 months (0-257 months); it was slightly longer in younger patients or patients with non-functioning tumors. Six patients are still alive, four of them with no evidence of disease.

CONCLUSION

Despite the overall poor prognosis, some patients with ACC may have a long survival time. Although complete tumor removal remains the only potentially curative treatment, diagnosis at a younger age, presence of non-functioning tumors, and mitotane treatment also seemed to be associated to longer survival in our patients.

Aldosterone-producing adrenocortical carcinoma with prominent hepatic metastasis diagnosed by liver biopsy: a case report

BACKGROUND

Aldosterone-producing adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare malignancy, which is usually diagnosed by histopathological examination of the excised tumor. In inoperable cases, aldosterone-producing ACC diagnosed by immunohistochemical staining of the metastatic tumor for Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 11β has not previously been reported and even in that case staining for adrenocortical-specific adrenal 4 binding protein/steroidogenic factor1 (Ad4BP/SF1) and steroidogenic enzymes has not been reported.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the case of a 67-year-old Japanese woman with aldosterone-producing adrenocortical carcinoma. Laboratory findings showed severe hypopotassemia. Endocrinological examination revealed an increased plasma aldosterone concentration and suppressed plasma renin activity. Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) was elevated. Diurnal variation in serum cortisol was lost and administration of 1 mg and 8 mg dexamethasone did not suppress serum cortisol levels. From the 24-h urine collection sample, urine aldosterone and urine cortisol levels were greatly increased. Therefore, autonomous excess production was observed for the three adrenal cortex hormones. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a right adrenal tumor and a huge liver tumor. Adrenocortical carcinoma with metastatic liver cancer was strongly suggested, however surgery could not be considered due to stage IV disease: the liver tumor was too large and cardiac ultrasonography indicated that her cardiac function was poor. Therefore, a liver biopsy was taken to properly determine the diagnosis. Immunohistochemical stains for Ad4BP/SF1 and steroidogenic enzymes were positive. Ad4BP/SF-1 was originally identified as a steroidogenic, tissue-specific transcription factor implicated in the expression of the steroidogenic CYP gene encoding cytochrome P450s. Hence we could diagnose the patient as having adrenocortical carcinoma with metastatic liver cancer.

CONCLUSION

This rare case had severe hypopotassemia accompanied with not only increased cortisol and DHEA-S but also aldosterone. We reached the diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma with metastatic liver cancer based on positive immunohistochemical staining of Ad4BP/SF1 in the liver biopsy specimen. We have reported the first case of aldosterone-producing adrenocortical carcinoma diagnosed solely by immunohistochemical staining for adrenocortical-specific Ad4BP/SF1 and steroidogenic enzymes in a metastatic liver tumor.

Prognostic Factors for Adrenocortical Carcinoma Outcomes

PURPOSE

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive tumor characterized by a high recurrence rate and poor response to treatment. This study analyzes a consecutive series of ACC patients to evaluate the prognostic value of various clinical and pathological characteristics.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 32 ACC patients followed at our Medical Center from 1997 to 2015 and evaluated the prognostic value of age at diagnosis, gender, tumor functional status, stage, and type of treatment with respect to overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), as determined by Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS

ACC was associated with hormonal overproduction in 50% of cases, and patients with isolated hyperandrogenism had a better prognosis. Recurrence was observed in 12/26 (46.2%) patients with no evidence of disease after surgery. Tumor size [hazard ratio (HR) 1.32, 95% confidential intervals (CI) 1.12-1.64; p = 0.007], ki-67 (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02-1.11; p = 0.009) and advanced stage at diagnosis (III-IV) (HR 6.51, 95% CI 1.65-24.68; p = 0.006) were associated with recurrence in the 26 R0 patients in the univariate analysis. Advanced stage was an independent risk factor for recurrence in the multivariate analysis (HR 8.10, 95% CI 1.55-41.35; p = 0.01). Five-year survival was 40.0%. Positive resection margins (HR 10.61, 95% CI 3.02-38.31; p = < 0.001), ki-67 (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07; p = 0.01) and advanced stage (HR 11.31, 95% CI 1.45-87.76; p = 0.02) were associated with poor survival in all 32 patients, but only positive resection margins were an independent predictor of mortality in the multivariate analysis (HR 6.22, 95% CI 1.44-26.05; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

ACC has a poor prognosis with a high recurrence rate. Tumor stage at diagnosis and the completeness of surgical excision are the most relevant prognostic factors.

Factors associated with survival in pediatric adrenocortical carcinoma: An analysis of the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB)

PURPOSE

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumor in children with important distinctions from the adult disease. We reviewed the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) to determine factors associated with long-term survival.

METHODS

The NCDB was queried for patients less than 18 years of age who were diagnosed with ACC between 1998 and 2011. Kaplan-Meier analysis was utilized to determine factors significantly associated with overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 111 patients were included (median age: 4 years, 69% female). ACC was more common in the youngest cohort, with 48% of cases occurring in children younger than the age of 3. Median tumor size was 9.5 cm (IQR: 6.5-13.0), and 87% of patients underwent some form of surgical resection. Among children with available data, 19 of 62 presented with metastases. Overall 1- and 3-year survival was 70% and 64%, respectively. Age, tumor size, extension of tumor into surrounding tissue, and metastatic disease were all found to be significantly associated with survival. Among patients who underwent a surgical procedure, margin status was also found to be significantly associated with survival.

CONCLUSION

Age, tumor size, extension of tumor, metastatic disease, and margin status are significantly associated with long-term survival in children with adrenocortical carcinoma.

Diagnosis and Management of Hereditary Adrenal Cancer

Benign adrenocortical tumours (ACT) are relatively frequent lesions; on the contrary, adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy with unfavourable prognosis. Recent advances in the molecular understanding of adrenal cancer offer promise for better therapies in the future. Many of these advances stem from the molecular elucidation of genetic conditions predisposing to the development of ACC. Six main clinical syndromes have been described to be associated with hereditary adrenal cancer. In these conditions, genetic counselling plays an important role for the early detection and follow-up of the patients and the affected family members.

Outcomes after resection of cortisol-secreting adrenocortical carcinoma

BACKGROUND

We sought to define the impact of cortisol-secreting status on outcomes after surgical resection of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC).

METHODS

The U.S ACC group database was queried to identify patients who underwent ACC resection between 1993 and 2014. The short-term and long-term outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

The incidence of all functional and cortisol-secreting tumors was 40.6% and 22.6%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, cortisol secretion remained associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications (odds ratio = 2.25, 95 % confidence interval = 1.04 to 4.88; P = .04). At a median follow-up of 17.6 months, 118 patients (50.4%) had developed a recurrence. On multivariable analysis, after adjusting for patient and disease-related factors cortisol secretion independently predicted shorter recurrence-free survival (Hazard ratio = 2.05, 95% confidence interval = 1.16 to 3.60; P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Cortisol secretion was associated with an increased risk of postoperative morbidity. Recurrence remains high among patients with ACC after surgery; cortisol secretion was independently associated with a shorter recurrence-free survival. Tailoring postoperative surveillance of ACC patients based on their cortisol secreting status may be important.

Multi-organ resection for locally advanced adrenocortical cancer: surgical strategy and literature review

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive endocrine malignancy with an estimated worldwide incidence of 0.5-2 per million/year. Complete surgical removal of ACC represents the current treatment of choice for this tumor. A disease-free resection margin (R0) is an important predictor of long-term survival: surgery is demanding and must be performed by a highly experienced surgical team. We report the surgical strategy adopted in a patient with locally advanced ACC and virilization to obtain a R0 resection.

Surgical Management of Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Impact of Laparoscopic Approach, Lymphadenectomy, and Surgical Volume on Outcomes-A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Current Literature

CONTEXT

Controversy exists regarding the choice for surgical approach and the role of lymph node dissection (LND) in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) treatment. ACC surgery is increasingly advocated to be performed in specialist referral centres.

OBJECTIVE

To review systematically the evidence of oncologic outcomes for ACC surgery by open adrenalectomy (OA) or laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA), and for concomitant LND. The influence of surgical volume is also analysed.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review of Ovid Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was performed in June 2015 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis statement. Twenty-six publications were selected for inclusion in the analysis. Meta-analyses were performed when appropriate.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Included studies reported on oncologic outcomes after surgical treatment of ACC (11 studies), compared different surgical approaches (7 studies), evaluated the role of LND (3 studies), and analysed the effect of surgical volume on outcome (5 studies). From the available studies and the meta-analysis, no differences were found in the rate of positive surgical margins, disease-free survival, and overall survival between OA and LA in localised disease. In patients with histologically proven positive lymph nodes, a shorter time to recurrence was seen when no proper LND was performed. A trend for better recurrence-free survival and disease-specific survival after LND was found. In high-volume centres, more aggressive and open surgery was performed. In low-volume centres, higher local recurrence and distant metastases rates, and a shorter time to recurrence were seen. Our findings are limited due to the low level of evidence of selected studies, patient and disease heterogeneity, and heterogeneous surgeon populations.

CONCLUSIONS

After adequate clinical staging for localised disease, LA is as effective and oncologically safe as OA, as long as oncologic principles are respected. LA should be performed by surgeons with extensive experience in laparoscopic adrenal surgery in high-volume centres. Patients with locally advanced disease and metastatic disease, for debulking purposes, should be operated on extensively with open surgery with adequate margins and concomitant LND to optimise staging, which may contribute to survival in locally advanced disease.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Laparoscopic surgery for localised adrenocortical carcinoma is safe and effective when performed by expert surgeons in high-volume centres. Patients with more extensive tumours should be operated with open surgery; lymph node dissection is mainly applied to determine the stage of the disease.

Molecular Profiling of Refractory Adrenocortical Cancers and Predictive Biomarkers to Therapy

PURPOSE

Current first-line chemotherapy for patients with metastatic adrenocortical cancer (ACC) includes doxorubicin, etoposide, cisplatin, and mitotane with a reported response rate of only 23.2%. New therapeutic leads for patients with refractory tumors are needed; there is no standard second-line treatment.

METHODS

Samples from 135 ACC tumors were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization (FISH or CISH), and/or gene sequencing at a single commercial reference laboratory (Caris Life Sciences) to identify markers associated with drug sensitivity and resistance.

RESULTS

Overexpression of proteins related to demonstrated chemotherapy sensitivity or resistance included topoisomerase 1, progesterone receptor, and topoisomerase 2-alpha in 46%, 63%, and 42% of cases, respectively. Loss of excision repair cross-complementary group 1 (ERCC1), phosophatase and tensin homolog, O(6)-methylguanine-methyltransferase, and ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) was identified in 56%, 59%, 71%, and 58% of cases, respectively. Other aberrations included overexpression of programmed death-ligand 1 or programmed cell death protein 1 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in >40% of cases. In all, 35% of cases had a mutation in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway (either CTNNB1 or APC) and 48% had a mutation in TP53. No other genomic alterations were identified.

CONCLUSION

Biomarker alterations in ACC may be used to direct therapies, including recommendations for and potential resistance of some patients to traditional chemotherapies, which may explain the low response rate in the unselected population. Limited outcomes data support the use of mitotane and platinum therapies for patients with low levels of the proteins RRM1 and ERCC1.

Incidence and Risk Factors Associated with Readmission After Surgical Treatment for Adrenocortical Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. Given the lack of data on readmission after resection of ACC, the objective of the current study was to define the incidence of readmission, as well as identify risk factors associated with readmission among patients with ACC who underwent surgical resection.

METHODS

Two hundred nine patients who underwent resection of ACC between January 1993 and December 2014 at 1 of 13 major centers in the USA were identified. Demographic and clinicopathological data were collected and analyzed relative to readmission.

RESULTS

Median patient age was 52 years, and 62 % of the patients were female. Median tumor size was 12 cm, and the majority of patients had an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class of 3-4 (n = 85, 56 %). The overall incidence of readmission within 90 days from surgery was 18 % (n = 38). Factors associated with readmission included high ASA class (odds ratio (OR), 4.88 (95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.75-13.61); P = 0.002), metastatic disease on presentation (OR, 2.98 (95 % CI, 1.37-6.46); P = 0.006), EBL (>700 mL: OR, 2.75 (95 % CI, 1.16-6.51); P = 0.02), complication (OR, 1.91 (95 % CI, 1.20-3.05); P = 0.007), and prolonged length of stay (LOS; ≥9 days: OR, 4.12 (95 % CI, 1.88-9.01); P < 0.001). On multivariate logistic regression, a high ASA class (OR, 4.01 (95 % CI, 1.44-11.17); P = 0.008) and metastatic disease on presentation (OR, 3.44 (95 % CI, 1.34-8.84); P = 0.01) remained independently associated with higher odds of readmission.

CONCLUSION

Readmission following surgery for ACC was common as one in five patients experienced a readmission. Patients with a high ASA class and metastatic disease on presentation were over four and three times more likely to be readmitted after surgical treatment for ACC, respectively.

Adrenocortical Carcinoma With Renal Vein Thrombus Extended to Inferior Vena Cava: A Case Report

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare aggressive tumor. Renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombi have been found as uncommon presentations of ACC; however, the implementation of comprehensive therapy has remained controversial in such cases. We report a case of a 46-year-old woman with a large ACC associated with the invasion of tumor to IVC confirmed by imaging and immunohistochemistry examinations. The patient was treated successfully using aggressive surgery, including adrenalectomy and thrombectomy adjunct to an adrenocorticolytic agent. However, she died of metastasis complications at 3-month follow-up period. ACC is a rare malignancy, mostly presenting in advanced stages with poor prognosis. Implementing aggressive surgical therapy might be effective for the management of such cases; however, the short survival duration in our case underscores the need for defining the precise therapy of metastatic ACC associated with venous invasion.

Surgical Management of Adrenocortical Carcinoma: An Evidence-Based Approach

Adrenocortical carcinoma frequently presents with sequelae of steroid precursor overproduction and has a proclivity for aggressive local growth, early metastasis, and recurrence. En bloc surgical resection with negative margins is the cornerstone of therapy for localized disease, and re-resection has a role in selected recurrent cases. Presence of occult micrometastatic disease at the time of presentation is confirmed by frequent distant failure after apparent negative margin resection. Data for many aspects of therapy are limited or nonexistent. This review critically considers existing evidence with a particular focus on surgical management.

Risk of adrenocortical carcinoma in adrenal tumours greater than 8 cm

BACKGROUND

Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is a rare malignancy. In the absence of metastatic disease, the suspicion of ACC is based on size and radiological appearance. The aim of this study was to analyse the long-term outcome of patients with large adrenal cortical tumours (>8 cm).

METHODS

A prospective database recorded clinical, biochemical, operative and histological data on patients operated for cortical adrenal tumours between January 2000 and February 2013. Out of 130 patients operated for cortical adrenal tumours, analysis was restricted to 37 cortical tumours >8 cm.

RESULTS

There were 31 (84 %) ACCs and 6 (16 %) benign adenomas (p < 0.01). The most common presentation was that of an abdominal mass [17 (55 %) vs. 3 (50 %), ACC vs. benign, respectively]. There was no difference in size between stage II and stage III-IV tumours; however, there was a trend for tumours to be heavier in advanced stages (920 ± 756 vs. 1,435 ± 1,022 g, p = 0.08, stage II vs. stage III-IV, respectively). No mortality was observed in patients with benign tumours during a median follow-up of 70 months (range 36-99 months). Mortality in the ACC group occurred in 17/31 (55 %) patients. Mitotane was administered in 12 (71 %) patients with stage III-IV ACCs with a 5-year survival rate 25 % compared to 20 % in patients who did not receive Mitotane. In stage II ACC, eight (57 %) patients received Mitotane with a 50 % mortality at 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The high incidence of ACC in cortical tumours >8 cm underlines the need for adequate surgical resection via open surgery aiming to avoid local recurrence. Beyond surgery, the impact of other therapies is not fully characterised and the efficacy of adjuvant Mitotane treatment is yet to be proven.

Androgen secreting giant adrenocortical carcinoma with no metastases: A case report and review of the literature

Functional adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a very rare disease with a poor prognosis. Over half (60%) of ACCs bigger than 6 cm synthesize hormones; hormone-secreting ACCs generally include virilization, feminization or Cushing syndrome. Besides, 82% of ACCs are metastatic at the time of diagnosis. While a 48-year-old female patient was examined for abdominal pain and flushing, we detected a non-metastasizing mass (23 × 18 × 16 cm) in the adrenal lodge. The mass was extracted en bloc during open exploration and its histopathology was reported as ACC. We review the literature and report the largest androgen-producing, clinically silent ACC mass cited in the literature so far.