Abstract

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare tumor with an annual incidence of 1 to 2 cases per million people. It is a very aggressive tumor, with a median survival of 28 months, and is slightly more common in women (58.6%) than in men (41.4%). The etiology of disease is still unknown. Most adrenocortical neoplasms are hormone functional. These tumors most commonly produce cortisol 30%), then androgens (20%), estrogens (10%) or aldosterone (2%). The rapid onset of Cushing’s syndrome, with its virilizing features, is characteristic of this cancer. Adrenal tumors are often detected at an advanced stage.In diagnostics, measurement of serum hormone levels and imaging studies, e.g. CT, or MRI,are essential. They also indicate the spread of disease.Complete surgical resection is the only curative treatment for adrenal cancer. Treatment also includes chemotherapy, especially with mitotane, usually in combination with doxorubicin,etoposide, and cisplatin. Results of treatment are not satisfying, so adjuvant multicenter trials are still underway.

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