Barmpari ME, Savvidis C, Dede AD, Markogiannakis H, Dikoglou C, Xekouki P, Stratakis CA, Andreas M, Malaktari-Skarantavou S. Adrenal malignant melanoma masquerading as a pheochromocytoma in a patient with a history of a multifocal papillary and medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Hormones (Athens) 2016;
15:283-290. [PMID:
27376430 PMCID:
PMC6354246 DOI:
10.14310/horm.2002.1653]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Adrenal masses usually represent benign and nonfunctional adrenal adenomas; however, primary or metastatic malignancy should also be considered. Discovery of an adrenal mass needs further evaluation in order to exclude malignancy and hormonal secretion. We present a rare case of a possibly primary adrenal malignant melanoma with imaging and biochemical features of a pheochromocytoma.
CASE REPORT
A 61-year-old male farmer was referred for evaluation of a mass in the right supraclavicular region and a left adrenal lesion. The patient had a history of a multifocal papillary and medullary thyroid carcinoma. Laboratory tests revealed increased 24hour urinary dopamine and also increased serum calcitonin and neuron specific enolase. A pathology report of the resected right supraclavicular mass and left adrenal showed a malignant melanoma.
CONCLUSION
This is a case of a possibly primary adrenal malignant melanoma with imaging and biochemical features of a pheochromocytoma. Although this case is very rare and there are rigid diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of primary adrenal melanoma, it underlines the fact that the differential diagnosis of a dopamine secreting adrenal mass should include primary or metastatic malignant melanoma in order to determine the best diagnostic approach for the patient and select the most appropriate surgical management.
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