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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
06:08
A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Adrenocortical carcinoma presenting with a peritoneal effusion
Leonidas D Arvanitis1, Lisa A Pitelka, Paolo Gattuso
1Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Leonidas_Arvanitis@rush.edu
Diagnostic Cytopathology
|November 27, 2009
Summary
This report details a rare case of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) metastasizing to the peritoneal cavity. Fine-needle aspiration cytology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis, highlighting an unusual metastatic pattern for this adrenal gland cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cytopathology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy originating from the adrenal cortex.
- While ACC can metastasize, peritoneal spread is exceptionally uncommon.
Observation:
- An 80-year-old female presented with findings suggestive of peritoneal metastasis.
- Fine-needle aspiration of peritoneal fluid was performed for cytopathological analysis.
Findings:
- Cytology revealed small, uniform cells with round nuclei and fine chromatin in clusters and singly.
- Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the cells as adrenocortical carcinoma, establishing the diagnosis.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare metastatic patterns in ACC diagnosis.
- Cytopathology and immunohistochemistry are crucial for identifying unusual presentations of adrenal malignancies.
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