Anaplastic Adrenal Cancer

Published: 2009-04-01 - Updated: 2015-12-23
Author: Sally Rider

Synopsis: Anaplastic Adrenal Cancer is a sub-type of adrenal cancer which shows virtually no cellular differentiation.

Adrenocortical cancers (ACs) are uncommon malignancies that can have protean clinical manifestations. Adrenocortical masses are common; autopsy studies show that approximately 5-15% of the general adult population may have adrenal incidentalomas.

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Adrenocortical Cancer Alternate Names:

Adrenal Carcinoma
Anaplastic Adrenal Cancer
Adrenocortical carcinoma
Adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC)
Adrenal cortex cancer

Anaplastic Adrenal Cancer is a sub-type of adrenal cancer which shows virtually no cellular differentiation. It is not associated with overproduction of hormones as is seen in other types of adrenal carcinomas. Abdominal pain is a presenting symptom.

Regardless of size, approximately 1 per 1500 adrenal tumors is malignant. The evaluation of these incidentalomas, therefore, focuses on:

(1) identifying functional masses and treating them appropriately (including surgical removal)
(2) identifying adrenal carcinomas early, with the intent of attempting complete surgical extirpation
(3) reassuring the patients who do not fit either of these classes and arranging for their subsequent follow-up.

CT and MRI imaging are used in the diagnosis of adrenal lesions, but a biopsy is required for definite diagnosis.

Radical surgical excision is the treatment for individuals with localized malignancies and remains the only method by which long-term disease-free survival may be achieved.

Median survival for anaplastic adrenal cancer is 5 months as compared with a median survival of 40 months for differentiated adrenal cancers.

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