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Updated: May 13, 2026
A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Discerning malignancy in resected adrenocotical tumors
Sasano Hironobu1, Suzuki Takashi, Nakamura Yasuhiro
1Tohoku University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, 2-1 Seiryou-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan +81 22 717 7450 ; +81 22 273 5976 ; hsasano@patholo2.med.tohoku.ac.jp.
Background:
The number of adrenocortical tumors discovered incidentally has recently increased owing to the advent of imaging techniques. The most important diagnostic point in evaluation of resected specimens of these tumors is to discern malignancy to determine postoperative management of the patients.
Objective/Methods:
To determine what the effective methods of discerning malignancy in resected specimens of adrenocortical tumors are at this juncture. To provide relevant and practical information pertinent to those involved in the management of patients with adrenocortical tumors.
Conclusion:
Careful macroscopic evaluation, including the selection of the specimens submitted and application of the criteria of Weiss for histological diagnosis, is still considered the 'gold standard' for diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma. However, it is important to recognize its limitations in the diagnosis of adrenocortical oncocytoma and pediatric adrenocortical tumors. The auxiliary methods that may be of clinical relevance at this juncture include the analysis of the Ki67/MIB-1 labeling index and IGF-II expression in the tumors.
