Clinical Characteristics, Molecular Phenotyping, and Management of Isolated Adrenal Metastases From Lung Cancer.

INTRODUCTION

Adrenal gland metastases occur in up to 20% of patients with non-small-lung cancer. In selected cases with limited burden of disease, surgery may be offered to improve patient outcome; furthermore, tissue analysis would provide useful information on genotype of primary and secondary neoplasms.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We report our experience in the management of adrenal metastasis by retrospectively reviewing data of 21 consecutive patients treated with curative intent to the primary tumor followed by adrenalectomy in a 15-year time span. Targeted next generation sequencing was performed to compare molecular profile of primary lung cancers and adrenal metastases. Patient overall survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier method, using adrenalectomy as time zero. Survival rates were compared by log rank test.

RESULTS

No surgery-related mortality or morbidity was observed. Median survival was 50 months; 5-year overall survival was 34.5% (95% confidence interval, 12%-66%). No significant survival difference was observed with respect to timing of onset (synchronous vs. metachronous) or side (homolateral vs. contralateral) of adrenal metastasis, T or N status of primary lung cancer, mutational asset, and histologic type. Mutations in TP53 genes were found in 61% and 85% of primary and metastatic tumors, respectively. In 3 of 15 cases, we found differences between molecular mutation patterns in primary lung cancer and corresponding adrenal metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Adrenalectomy is a safe and effective approach in selected cases. Discordance between primary and secondary tumor mutational profile was found in 20% of assessable patients.