Double trouble : two cases of dual adrenal pathologies in one adrenal mass

Context Adrenal incidentalomas (AI) represent an increasingly common problem in modern endocrine practice. The diagnostic approach to AIs can be challenging and occasionally reveals surprising features. Here we describe two rare cases of complex adrenal lesions consisting of phaeochromocytomas with synchronous metastases from extra-adrenal primaries. Case descriptions Patient 1 - a 65-year-old gentleman with a newly diagnosed malignant melanoma was found to harbour an adrenal lesion with suspicious radiographic characteristics. Percutaneous adrenal biopsy was consistent with adrenocortical adenoma. After excision of the skin melanoma and regional lymphatic metastases, he was followed up without imaging. Three years later, he presented with abdominal discomfort and enlargement of his adrenal lesion, associated with high plasma metanephrines. Adrenalectomy revealed a mixed tumour consisting of a large phaeochromocytoma with an embedded melanoma metastasis in its core. Patient 2 - a 63-year-old lady with a history of NF-1-related phaeochromocytoma 20 years ago and previous breast cancer presented with a new adrenal lesion on the contralateral side. Plasma normetanephrine was markedly elevated. Elective adrenalectomy revealed an adrenal tumour consisting of chromaffin cells intermixed with breast carcinoma cells. Conclusions Adrenal incidentalomas require careful evaluation to exclude metastatic disease, especially in the context of a history of previous malignancy. Adrenal biopsy provides limited and potentially misleading information. Phaeochromocytomas are highly vascularised tumours that may function as a sieve, extracting and retaining irregularly shaped cancer cells, thereby yielding adrenal masses with intriguing dual pathology. Learning points: Adrenal incidentalomas require careful evaluation focused on exclusion of underlying hormone excess and malignant pathology. Adrenal biopsy can be misleading and should only be considered in select cases. Phaeochromocytomas harbouring intratumoural metastases from other, extra-adrenal primary malignancies represent rare pathological entities that highlight the complexities that can be presented by adrenal tumours.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2019

Erschienen:

2019

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:2019

Enthalten in:

Endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism case reports - 2019(2019) vom: 23. März

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Chortis, Vasileios [VerfasserIn]
May, Christine J H [VerfasserIn]
Skordilis, Kassiani [VerfasserIn]
Ayuk, John [VerfasserIn]
Arlt, Wiebke [VerfasserIn]
Crowley, Rachel K [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

2019
Abdominal discomfort
Adrenal
Adrenalectomy
Adrenocortical adenoma
Adult
Alpha-blockers
Amlodipine
Anastrozole
Angiotensin receptor antagonists
Bendroflumethiazide
Beta-blockers
Breast cancer
CT scan
Chemotherapy
Chromogranin A
Dacarbazine
Deep vein thrombosis
Doxazosin
Female
Fine needle aspiration biopsy
Haematoxylin and eosin staining
Histopathology
Immunohistochemistry
Incidentaloma
Journal Article
Lymphadenopathy
MIBG scan
Male
March
Metanephrines
Metastatic melanoma
Normetanephrine
Oncology
Phaeochromocytoma
Phenoxybenzamine
Propranolol
Skin biopsy
Tumours and neoplasia
Ultrasound scan
Unique/unexpected symptoms or presentations of a disease
United Kingdom
White

Anmerkungen:

Date Revised 27.02.2024

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status Publisher

doi:

10.1530/EDM-18-0151

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM295316136