[Adrenocortical carcinoma: report of a case]

A 24-year-old man visited our hospital complaining of hypertension and headache. Endocrinological findings revealed no abnormalities except for a slight decrease in serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a slight increase in urine 17-ketosteroid (17-KS), and a marked increase in serum pregnenolone. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 3 x 3 cm mass in the right adrenal area and I131-aldosterol scintigraphy demonstrated a high absorption of the isotope in the right adrenal area. Vena cavography suggested a 2 x 2 cm tumor thrombus originating in the right adrenal. Under the diagnosis of the right adrenocortical carcinoma, adrenalectomy and removal of the tumor thrombus were performed. Both serum pregnenolone and urine 17-KS returned to the normal level within a week after the operation and blood pressure was well controlled without any medication 3 months after the operation. Thus, the tumor seemed to be endocrinologically active.