J Korean Soc Endocrinol.  2000 Mar;15(1):121-127.

Two Cases of Malignant Lymphoma Involving Bilateral Adrenal Glands as Huge Masses

• Han SH
• Kim JS
• Kim MS
• Chung HW
• Jung JH
• Goo YS
• Ahn CW
• Nam JH
• Jung SS
• Song YD
• Lim SK
• Kim KR
• Lee HC
• Huh KB
• Hahn JS

Abstract

Adrenal gland is a common site of metastatic tumors such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer. When adrenal mass is found incidentally, adenoma is the most common among single adrenal masses. But in the case of bilateral adrenal masses, infection, bilateral metastases and hemorrhage are common. Secondary involvement of the adrenal gland is found in 25% of autopsy cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, adrenal insufficiency is rare because it becomes apparent only when approximately 90% of adrenal cortex is destructed. We exprienced two cases of malignant lymphoma which involved the adrenal glands bilaterally. One case in which adrenal insufficiency was suspicious, was accompanied by hypovolemic shock and sepsis at the initial presentation. He died of sepsis combined with DIC even though hydrocortisone, intravenous saline infusion, and antibiotics therapy were started immediately. The other one was found incidentally, in which adrenal infiltraion was confirmed by CT scan. Hormonal level was normal and adrenal masses disappeared after chemotherapy.

MeSH Terms

Adenoma
Adrenal Cortex
Adrenal Glands*
Adrenal Insufficiency
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Autopsy
Breast Neoplasms
Colonic Neoplasms
Dacarbazine
Drug Therapy
Hemorrhage
Hydrocortisone
Lung Neoplasms
Lymphoma*
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin
Neoplasm Metastasis
Sepsis
Shock
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Dacarbazine
Hydrocortisone