J Korean Endocr Soc.  2006 Oct;21(5):419-423. 10.3803/jkes.2006.21.5.419.

A Case of Adrenocortical Carcinoma showing Variable Cortisol Production during the Clinical Course

• Ku YH
• Choi HJ
• Kim JT
• Yoon JW
• Lee EK
• Cho HY
• Kang MY
• Lee JS
• Cho YM
• Kim SY

• KMID: 1511993
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3803/jkes.2006.21.5.419

Abstract

Patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) present with evidence of excessive adrenal steroid hormone in approximately 60% of cases, in which rapidly progressing Cushing's syndrome with or without virilization is the most frequent presentation. Some patients experience an increase or a decline in cortisol production through the progression of their ACC. We report on an unusual case of a cortisol-producing ACC, and the patient presented with a decline in cortisol production, followed by an increase in cortisol production, through the progression of the tumor. A 65-year-old woman who manifested with facial edema and weight gain was diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome, caused by cortisol producing ACC. The patient was treated with adrenalectomy. However, 8 months later, a metastatic hepatic tumor of recurred ACC was detected. At that time, the hormonal evaluation revealed that the liver mass did not produce any hormones. The patient was treated with metastatectomy. Four months later, a relapsed tumor was detected. Increased cortisol production was observed at that time. We speculate there was a change in the clonal dominance within the ACC and this change might cause such a difference. This is the first case report of ACC that showed variable hormone production during progression.

Keyword

Adrenal gland neoplasm; Adrenocortical carcinoma; Cortisol

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms
Adrenalectomy
Adrenocortical Carcinoma*
Aged
Cushing Syndrome
Edema
Female
Humans
Hydrocortisone*
Liver
Virilism
Weight Gain
Hydrocortisone

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Adrenocortical tumor at the time of diagnosis. Primary adrenocortical carcinoma is visualized at rightadrenal gland. This tumor corresponds to Fig. 4 (A) stage.

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  Fig. 2 Recurred tumor in liver. The CT scan shows metastatic hepatic tumor of recurred adrenocortical carcinoma. This tumor corresponds to Fig. 4 (E) stage.

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  Fig. 3 Tumors at the time of cortisol reproduction. Recurred tumors after hepatic metastatectomy are visualized at tumor bed (A) and in liver (B). These tumors correspond to Fig. 4 (J) stage.

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  Fig. 4 Cortisol production in relation to tumor size. A, Diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma; B, No evidence of disease (NED) after right adrenalectomy; C, NED; D, NED; E, Recurrence of adrenocortical carcinoma in liver; F, NED after metastatectomy; G, Local recurrence at right adrenal gland tumor bed; H, Increase in tumor size; I, Tumor progression and invasion to liver; J, Detection of malignant effusion and lung metastases.

• 

  Fig. 5 Amount of 24-hour urine cortisol by tumor size.

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