A twelve-year experience with adrenal cortical carcinoma in a single institution: long-term survival after surgical treatment and transcatheter arterial embolization.

INTRODUCTION

We retrospectively analyzed 6 cases of adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) treated during a 12-year period at a single institution.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We reviewed the clinical and pathological records and updated the follow-up of the patients treated and observed in our institution between 1995 and 2006.

RESULTS

All 6 patients underwent surgery for ACC. The mean age at diagnosis was 53.3 years (range 36-72). The median follow-up was 50.7 months (range 13-132). Three patients were clinically classified as stage II, 2 as stage III and 1 as stage IV with bone metastasis. The 5-year overall survival was 62.5%. Recurrences or metastases occurred in 4 patients. Two patients without reoperation for metastases died, and others with radical treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, transcatheter arterial embolization and/or radiation remain alive.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, transcatheter arterial embolization was effective against liver metastasis.