[Latent adrenal cortical tumor. Plea for a better designation of adrenal cortical tumor. Apropos of 3 cases].

The authors isolate the characteristics of "nonhormonal" adrenocortical carcinomas from three clinical reports and a review of the literature. The absence of any clinical endocrine syndrome at the outset, and the tardy appearance of the tumoral syndrome explain the latency of these tumors. The investigations aim at circumscribing the tumor itself and any extensions - especially invasion of the vena cava, which is a determining point in the choice of therapy. Management is mainly surgical even though, in some cases, the operation can do no more than confirm the diagnosis. The prognosis seems to be greatly improved by medical treatment, especially with OP'DDD.