Resection of giant adrenal cortical carcinoma: a case report.

OBJECTIVE

We report a case of nonfunctioning giant adrenal cortical carcinoma undergoing complete resection.

METHODS

We report the case and evolution of a woman who underwent resection of a giant adrenal carcinoma at Santa Marcelina Hospital.

RESULTS

A 49-year-old female presented with palpable mass in the right hypochondrium extending 5 cm down from the right costal margin. Abdominal CT Scan found a large mass occupying the right adrenal region with areas suggestive of necrosis, in close contact with the liver, pushing the right kidney inferiorly and extending to the midline. Biochemical tests to evaluate hormonal secretion resulted in levels within the normal range characteristic of a non-functioning adrenal neoplasm. The treatment of choice was resection of the abdominal mass; the surgical specimen greatest diameter was 21 cm and weighed 2106 grams. It was an adrenal cortical carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Options for the treatment of adrenal cortical carcinoma showed no significant advances in recent decades and complete surgical resection remains the most effective treatment for adrenal cortical carcinoma, even in patients with bulky tumor masses.