Adrenocortical carcinoma characterized by gynecomastia: A case report

EDP-mitotane in children: reassuring evidence of reversible side-effects and neurotoxicity

Adrenocortical carcinoma affects one in 5 million children each year. Since prognosis for children older than 4 years is limited, clinicians often choose aggressive treatment with etoposide, doxorubicin, cisplatin (EDP) and mitotane after resection. However, little is known about the impact of EDP-mitotane in children. We provide an overview of case-reports and case series listing side-effects and neurotoxicity of EDP-mitotane in children. Fourteen studies were identified describing a range of gastro-intestinal, endocrine, developmental and neuropsychological side-effects. Neurotoxicity included motor- and speech delay, decreased concentration and lower school performance. These side-effects appear to be reversible after mitotane discontinuation. We have added our own experience with a 10 year old girl with advanced adrenocortical carcinoma treated with EDP and 2 years of mitotane after irradical resection. She developed an impactful, but reversible, decrease in cognitive development measured by a standardized neuropsychological assessment before, during and after mitotane therapy. This decrease was mostly measurable in terms of decreased processing speed and concentration and a significant drop in school performance. Combined with fatigue and insecurity, this caused problems in short-term memory and the need to change her school type. In conclusion, EDP-mitotane is associated with several side-effects including neurotoxicity in pediatric cases, all reversible after mitotane discontinuation.

Gynaecomastia in a male neutered cat with an adrenal tumour and associated hyperprogesteronism, hypercortisolism and hyperaldosteronism

Case summary

A 7-year-old male neutered domestic longhair cat was presented with chronic progressive gynaecomastia, polydipsia, polyphagia, weight loss and poor fur regrowth. Sexualised behavioural changes were not reported and virilisation was not present on physical examination. Pertinent haematology, biochemistry and urinalysis findings at the time of referral included mild hypokalaemia. Left adrenomegaly and mild prostatomegaly were identified on a CT scan. Evaluation of adrenal hormones with a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, serum progesterone, testosterone, oestradiol, plasma aldosterone, renin, plasma metanephrine and normetanephrine measurement supported a diagnosis of hyperprogesteronism, hyperaldosteronism and hypercortisolism. Adrenalectomy was performed and histopathology was consistent with an adrenocortical tumour. Clinical signs and hormone elevations resolved postoperatively.

Relevance and novel information

To our knowledge, this is the second report of gynaecomastia secondary to an adrenal tumour in a male neutered cat and the first associated with hyperprogesteronism.

Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Updates of Clinical and Pathological Features after Renewed World Health Organisation Classification and Pathology Staging

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a heterogenous group of diseases with different clinical behaviour between adult and paediatric patients. In addition, three histological variants, oncocytic, myxoid and sarcomatoid are noted on the recent World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of ACC. A review of recent literature showed that the different types of ACC have distinctive demographic data, clinical presentation, pathology, biological behaviour, genomic and patients' prognosis. In addition, recent updates of pathology staging for ACC allow refinement of prognostic grouping for planning treatment of the patients with ACC. These advances in genomic, pathology and staging have driven the development of standardisation of pathology reporting. International standardisation of pathological reporting of adrenocortical carcinoma and adaption to local pathology communities provide universal platforms for clinicians and researchers involved in the management of patients with ACC. To conclude, all these advances in the field of pathology will improve development of management strategies including improvement of clinical care, development of prognostic markers and testing of novel therapeutic approaches for patients with adrenocortical carcinoma.