Laparoscopic Right Adrenalectomy in a Large Right Adrenal Oncocytic Carcinoma

Adrenocortical carcinomas are rare and aggressive tumors. The recently described oncocytic subtype has been reported approximately 40 times in the literature.1 In this video, we describe an unusual case of a large adrenal oncocytic carcinoma, its minimally invasive approach, and its anatomopathological features.

A 43-year-old male presented to the emergency room with acute abdominal pain and fever. Blood tests showed 20,000 white blood cells and a reactive C-protein of 25. Tomography showed a large right adrenal tumor with necrosis. Antibiotics were started at the intensive care unit. A complete study showed normal tests, including hormones, cortisol, and metanephrines. At the multidisciplinary team meeting it was decided to perform a right transabdominal laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The tumor was approached from the medial side to the lateral side, always controlling the inferior vena cava. Indocyanine green was used to identify vascular structures. Anatomical pathology revealed a 15 cm lesion corresponding to a malignant adrenal oncocytic carcinoma according to the modified Lin-Weis-Bisceglia criteria.2 The patient was discharged without complications on the fifth day. He is receiving mitotane and is disease-free 5 months after surgery.

Oncocytic subtype is a rare entity described only a few times in the literature. Surgical treatment is of choice due to its curative potential, and the open versus laparoscopic approach will be chosen depending on the size of the tumor and the surgeon's experience. It is believed that this subtype may have a less aggressive behavior than the typical adrenal carcinoma,1 therefore its better understanding may help to define therapeutic decisions and prognosis in the future.