Adrenocortical carcinoma

The adrenal cortical carcinoma is an outgoing of the adrenal cortex rare tumor. It can affect all three layers of the adrenal cortex.

Symptoms

A carcinoma of the adrenal cortex is usually associated with an increased hormone production, which is why hyperaldosteronism are typical ( through an increased formation of aldosterone ), Cushing's syndrome (due to the increased production of cortisol) and virilization ( through the increased production of androgens ). Other non-specific symptoms such as Abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue may occur.

Diagnosis

The hormonal levels of estrogen, aldosterone, cortisol, and the increase of androgens are examined. By MRI or CT to assess size, extent and weight of Turmors. In the discovery of the tumor is usually already greater than 8 cm in diameter.

Therapy

The radical adrenalectomy is the only curative therapy. Requirement is freedom from distant metastases. Infiltrated neighboring tissues are removed as well.

Furthermore, a radical regionäre lymphadenectomy is performed with removal of the retroperitoneal adipose tissue between the diaphragm and the renal pedicle. Between the aorta and inferior vena cava located lymph nodes are resected with. The access is done for reasons of clarity thorakoabdominal.

The overall prognosis is poor, the response to drug treatment unsatisfactory.

Itemization

• Disease in endocrinology
• Disease in hematology and oncology
• Adrenal gland