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Published on: September 15, 2017
Adrenal incidentalomas: experience in a developing country.
P R K Bhargav1, Anjali Mishra, Gaurav Agarwal
1Department of Endocrine Surgery, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226 014, India.
Large adrenal incidentalomas in India showed a high incidence of pheochromocytoma (PCC) but a lower-than-expected rate of adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC). Inflammatory lesions were common, suggesting adrenalectomy is often justified for large incidentalomas.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Adrenal incidentalomas are increasingly detected worldwide.
- Concerns exist regarding malignancy in large adrenal incidentalomas.
- Limited data is available from developing countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze clinical presentation, functional status, and diagnosis of adrenal incidentalomas.
- To determine the incidence of adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) in large adrenal incidentalomas in northern India.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 59 patients with adrenal incidentaloma (1991-2005).
- Data collected on clinical, radiological, laboratory, intervention, histology, and follow-up details.
- Exclusion of 6 cases arising from extra-adrenal tissue.
Main Results:
- Most incidentalomas measured over 3 cm (91%) and 6 cm (70%).
- Functioning tumors occurred in 41.5% (PCC 37.7%, hypercortisolism 1.9%).
- Final pathologies included PCC (43%), adrenal cysts (13.2%), myelolipoma (11.3%), inflammatory lesions (9.4%), and ACC (7.5%).
Conclusions:
- High incidence of pheochromocytoma (PCC) in large adrenal incidentalomas.
- Lower-than-expected incidence of adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC).
- Inflammatory lesions are a significant cause of incidentaloma in developing countries; adrenalectomy is often justified.
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