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Mete O, Erickson LA, Juhlin CC, de Krijger RR, Sasano H, Volante M, Papotti MG. Overview of the 2022 WHO Classification of Adrenal Cortical Tumors. Endocr Pathol 2022; 33:155-196. [PMID: 35288842 PMCID: PMC8920443 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-022-09710-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The new WHO classification of adrenal cortical proliferations reflects translational advances in the fields of endocrine pathology, oncology and molecular biology. By adopting a question-answer framework, this review highlights advances in knowledge of histological features, ancillary studies, and associated genetic findings that increase the understanding of the adrenal cortex pathologies that are now reflected in the 2022 WHO classification. The pathological correlates of adrenal cortical proliferations include diffuse adrenal cortical hyperplasia, adrenal cortical nodular disease, adrenal cortical adenomas and adrenal cortical carcinomas. Understanding germline susceptibility and the clonal-neoplastic nature of individual adrenal cortical nodules in primary bilateral macronodular adrenal cortical disease, and recognition of the clonal-neoplastic nature of incidentally discovered non-functional subcentimeter benign adrenal cortical nodules has led to redefining the spectrum of adrenal cortical nodular disease. As a consequence, the most significant nomenclature change in the field of adrenal cortical pathology involves the refined classification of adrenal cortical nodular disease which now includes (a) sporadic nodular adrenocortical disease, (b) bilateral micronodular adrenal cortical disease, and (c) bilateral macronodular adrenal cortical disease (formerly known primary bilateral macronodular adrenal cortical hyperplasia). This group of clinicopathological entities are reflected in functional adrenal cortical pathologies. Aldosterone producing cortical lesions can be unifocal or multifocal, and may be bilateral with no imaging-detected nodule(s). Furthermore, not all grossly or radiologically identified adrenal cortical lesions may be the source of aldosterone excess. For this reason, the new WHO classification endorses the nomenclature of the HISTALDO classification which uses CYP11B2 immunohistochemistry to identify functional sites of aldosterone production to help predict the risk of bilateral disease in primary aldosteronism. Adrenal cortical carcinomas are subtyped based on their morphological features to include conventional, oncocytic, myxoid, and sarcomatoid subtypes. Although the classic histopathologic criteria for diagnosing adrenal cortical carcinomas have not changed, the 2022 WHO classification underscores the diagnostic and prognostic impact of angioinvasion (vascular invasion) in these tumors. Microscopic angioinvasion is defined as tumor cells invading through a vessel wall and forming a thrombus/fibrin-tumor complex or intravascular tumor cells admixed with platelet thrombus/fibrin. In addition to well-established Weiss and modified Weiss scoring systems, the new WHO classification also expands on the use of other multiparameter diagnostic algorithms (reticulin algorithm, Lin-Weiss-Bisceglia system, and Helsinki scoring system) to assist the workup of adrenal cortical neoplasms in adults. Accordingly, conventional carcinomas can be assessed using all multiparameter diagnostic schemes, whereas oncocytic neoplasms can be assessed using the Lin-Weiss-Bisceglia system, reticulin algorithm and Helsinki scoring system. Pediatric adrenal cortical neoplasms are assessed using the Wieneke system. Most adult adrenal cortical carcinomas show > 5 mitoses per 10 mm2 and > 5% Ki67. The 2022 WHO classification places an emphasis on an accurate assessment of tumor proliferation rate using both the mitotic count (mitoses per 10 mm2) and Ki67 labeling index which play an essential role in the dynamic risk stratification of affected patients. Low grade carcinomas have mitotic rate of ≤ 20 mitoses per 10 mm2, whereas high-grade carcinomas show > 20 mitoses per 10 mm2. Ki67-based tumor grading has not been endorsed in the new WHO classification, since the proliferation indices are continuous variables rather than being static thresholds in tumor biology. This new WHO classification emphasizes the role of diagnostic and predictive biomarkers in the workup of adrenal cortical neoplasms. Confirmation of the adrenal cortical origin of a tumor remains a critical requirement when dealing with non-functional lesions in the adrenal gland which may be mistaken for a primary adrenal cortical neoplasm. While SF1 is the most reliable biomarker in the confirmation of adrenal cortical origin, paranuclear IGF2 expression is a useful biomarker in the distinction of malignancy in adrenal cortical neoplasms. In addition to adrenal myelolipoma, the new classification of adrenal cortical tumors has introduced new sections including adrenal ectopia, based on the potential role of such ectopic tissue as a possible source of neoplastic proliferations as well as a potential mimicker of metastatic disease. Adrenal cysts are also discussed in the new classification as they may simulate primary cystic adrenal neoplasms or even adrenal cortical carcinomas in the setting of an adrenal pseudocyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozgur Mete
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Endocrine Oncology Site, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Lori A Erickson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - C Christofer Juhlin
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ronald R de Krijger
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, and Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hironobu Sasano
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Marco Volante
- Department of Pathology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Falco EC, Daniele L, Metovic J, Bollito E, De Rosa G, Volante M, Papotti M. Adrenal Rests in the Uro-genital Tract of an Adult Population. Endocr Pathol 2021; 32:375-384. [PMID: 34095993 PMCID: PMC8370964 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-021-09685-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Ectopic adrenal rests are a rare condition which can be found in various sites, generally in the retroperitoneum or pelvis along the path of gonadal descent. Their real prevalence is unknown. Males are more commonly affected, at least in the pediatric age. Adrenal rests are usually clinically silent and incidentally found in surgical samples, mostly in the pediatric population, and rarely in adults. With the aim of increasing knowledge and estimating the prevalence of ectopic adrenocortical tissue in the adult population, 44 adrenal rests in the urogenital tract of 40 adults are described. These represent approximately 0.07% of the total number of urogenital and gynecological surgeries performed in the 22 considered years. Adrenal rests were identified in the spermatic cord (10 males) and in paraovarian, parasalpingeal, or infundibulopelvic ligament locations (30 females). All but one was incidental findings. One case regarded an adrenocortical carcinoma arisen in adrenal rests. A literature review of adrenal ectopia in the urogenital tract of adults identified 57 reported cases from 53 patients, with similar clinicopathological features as those of our series, with the exception of a lower incidence of parasalpingeal locations. Despite their limited clinical implications, awareness of ectopic adrenal rests is essential also in adults for at least two reasons: (a) to correctly identify sources of adrenocortical hormone production in case of adrenal insufficiency or hormonal imbalance and (b) to avoid misinterpretations in the diagnostic workup of renal cell carcinoma, adrenocortical tumors, and rare gonadal neoplasms, including Sertoli/Leydig cell tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Costantino Falco
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Città Della Salute E Della Scienza Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Jasna Metovic
- Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology, Città Della Salute E Della Scienza Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrico Bollito
- Pathology Unit, San Luigi Hospital, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Marco Volante
- Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology at San Luigi Hospital, University of Turin, Orbassano, Turin, Italy.
| | - Mauro Papotti
- Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology, Città Della Salute E Della Scienza Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Niu L, Tian H, Xu Y, Cao J, Zhang X, Zhang J, Hou J, Lv W, Wang J, Xin L, Dong X, Xu T, Nan Y, Wei H, Chai X, Li N, Ni Y, Shang Y, Zhang L, Zhao Y. Recurrence characteristics and clinicopathological results of borderline ovarian tumors. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2021; 21:134. [PMID: 33789656 PMCID: PMC8011410 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01263-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background This study aimed to investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics, and the recurrence and prognostic factors of borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs). Methods The data of 286 patients admitted to hospital and followed up for more than ten months were analyzed retrospectively to study the clinicopathological characteristics and related factors of recurrence. Results The median age of the patients was 42.06 ± 14.97 years, and the duration of the follow-up ranged from 10–109 months. During the follow-up period, 40 patients had a recurrence. Of these patients, 36 were ≤ 40 years, and patients with premenopausal recurrence accounted for 20.5% (36/176). In patients undergoing conservative treatment or radical operations, the recurrence rates were 21.3% and 1.8%, respectively, and they were 13.4% (36/268) in patients at Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I, and 22.2% (4/18) in patients at an advanced stage. Postoperative pathology revealed that 40 patients had micropapillary tumors, among whom ten patients (25%) had a recurrence, and 19 patients had complications with interstitial infiltration. Of these 19 patients, six had a recurrence (31.5%). Another 22 patients had complications with calcified sand bodies; among these, eight patients (36.4%) had a recurrence. All the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There were four cancer-related deaths during the follow-up period. Late FIGO stage, conservative operation, and a high level of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) were independent risk factors for the recurrence of BOTs. Conclusion BOTs usually occur in women under 40 years, have an occult onset, and half of the patients have no obvious clinical manifestations. Serum CA125 level can be used as a tumor marker to detect BOTs and the risk of its recurrence. Operation mode and FIGO stage are important independent factors for the recurrence of BOTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Niu
- Department of Gynecology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Huihui Tian
- Department of Gynecology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Yongjun Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Jieqiong Cao
- Department of Gynecology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, NO.85 South Jiefang Road, Yingze District, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Junli Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Jiajia Hou
- Department of Gynecology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Weiqin Lv
- Department of Gynecology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Junxia Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Li Xin
- Department of Gynecology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - XuFeng Dong
- Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Division, Shanxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Taiyuan, 030012, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Pathology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Yuan Nan
- Department of Medical Record Management, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Hua Wei
- Department of Gynecology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Xinting Chai
- Department of Gynecology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Gynecology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Yan Ni
- Department of Gynecology, Taiyuan Central Hospital, Taiyuan, 030000, China
| | - Yun Shang
- Department of Gynecology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Lizhen Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Ye Zhao
- Department of Gynecology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, NO.85 South Jiefang Road, Yingze District, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
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Ohsugi H, Takizawa N, Kinoshita H, Matsuda T. Pheochromocytoma arising from an ectopic adrenal tissue in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep 2019; 2019:EDM190073. [PMID: 31610522 PMCID: PMC6790906 DOI: 10.1530/edm-19-0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY A 21-year-old woman was referred to our hospital to treat bilateral pheochromocytomas (PCCs) after a diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A). We performed bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy. One year after the operation, urinary fractionated metanephrines in 24-h urine increased. MRI showed a 30 mm tumor on the interaortocaval region and 123I-MIBG concentrated in this area. We excised the tumor and performed para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Histopathologic examination confirmed a PCC arising from ectopic adrenal tissue. Urinary fractionated metanephrines in 24-h urine declined to basal levels immediately after the operation. We detected no recurrence of paraganglioma or PCC for 5 years after the treatment. LEARNING POINTS Most ectopic adrenal tissue is associated with no symptoms and contains only the adrenal cortex. Adrenocortical tumors sometimes arise from ectopic adrenal tissues similarly to in the normal adrenal gland. PCC arising from ectopic adrenal tissue occurs infrequently. MEN2-related PCC is accompanied by adrenal medullary hyperplasia, which might be part of tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruyuki Ohsugi
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Japan
| | - Nae Takizawa
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Japan
| | - Hidefumi Kinoshita
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Japan
| | - Tadashi Matsuda
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Japan
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