Late recurrence of adrenocortical carcinoma and metastatic disease. Case report

Abstract

Introduction: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a malignancy with an annual incidence of 0.72 cases per million people. It is a rare tumor that is associated with high mortality in late stages, as well as with a 5-year survival of 13% in stage IV patients, and 61% in stage II lesions. Nevertheless, tumor recurrence occurs in up to 54% at 23 months with predominance of locoregional involvement, being striking the late presentation of tumor recurrence with extensive involvement. Case presentation: This is the case of a 52-year-old male patient with a history of resection of an ACC of 6cm five years earlier, who was admitted for decompensated heart failure. A chest x-ray was taken suggesting metastasis. After conducting biochemical studies and CT scan of the abdomen, ACC with metastases to liver and lung was diagnosed. The patient decided not to receive palliative chemotherapy. Conclusion: This unfortunate outcome is related to the lack of follow-up after the initial procedure. Clinical, hormonal, and imaging evaluation is recommended every 3 months for 2 years, and then at least every 6 months.

Keywords

• adrenocortical carcinoma
• adrenal cortex neoplasms
• adrenal gland neoplasms