J Korean Radiol Soc.  2007 Jul;57(1):71-75. 10.3348/jkrs.2007.57.1.71.

A Metastatic Adrenal Tumor from a Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Combination Therapy with Transarterial Chemoembolization and Radiofrequency Ablation

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Radiology, Seoul Veterans Hospital, Korea. yunkucho2004@yahoo.co.kr

Abstract

The adrenal gland is the second most common site of metastasis from a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for these tumors has been reported to be a potentially effective alternative to an adrenalectomy, especially for inoperable patients. However, for intermediate or large adrenal tumors, combination therapy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and RFA can be attempted as it may reduce the heat sink effect. A 74-year-old patient presented with abdominal discomfort. Abdominal CT images revealed a 5.0 cm sized right adrenal mass. A percutaneous biopsy of the adrenal mass revealed a metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. TACE was performed on the adrenal mass. However, a one-month follow-up CT image revealed a residual viable tumor. RFA was performed for the adrenal tumor six weeks after the TACE. No procedure-related major complications were noted. The serum alpha-fetoprotein level had also been normalized after the treatment, and 10-month follow-up CT images showed no definite evidence of viable adrenal tumor.

Keyword

Adrenal gland, neoplasms; Radiofrequency (RF), ablation

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Glands
Adrenalectomy
Aged
alpha-Fetoproteins
Biopsy
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
Catheter Ablation*
Follow-Up Studies
Hot Temperature
Humans
Neoplasm Metastasis
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
alpha-Fetoproteins
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