PALE SKIN: AN ADRENAL CANCER?

Abstract

Adrenal carcinoma is a complex orphan disease with a very poor prognosis. The evolution is rapid and in cases with suggestive symptoms the diagnosis may be established earlier in order to improve the outcome. One third of the patients are negative for a clear hormonal expression or they have an atypical presentation. We introduce an adult patient diagnosed with adrenal carcinoma and a rapid lethal outcome who initially presented with pale skin and non-specific abdominal pain. A multidisciplinary team is essential for adequate diagnosis and prompt intervention. Severe bleeding at the level of the adrenal carcinoma causing symptomatic anaemia is a rare event. The prognosis in adrenocortical carcinoma is severe and the presence of humoral hypercalcemia represents a sign of short survival time.

Keywords

• pale skin
• abdominal tumour
• adrenal cancer