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Giant virilising adrenal cortical carcinoma
Shruti Dogra1, Arvind Ahuja1, Minakshi Bhardwaj1
1Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Autopsy & Case Reports
|July 26, 2021
Summary
This case report details a rare, huge androgen-secreting adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) in a young woman. The massive tumor presented with hormonal symptoms and was the largest reported ACC globally.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Androgen-secreting adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis.
- Functional tumors, often secreting glucocorticoids, comprise about 80% of ACC cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report an exceptionally large case of functional androgen-secreting adrenocortical carcinoma.
- To highlight the clinical presentation and diagnostic findings of a massive ACC.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of a 33-year-old female with symptoms of androgen excess.
- Abdominal examination and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) for tumor characterization.
Main Results:
- A huge functional androgen-secreting adrenocortical carcinoma of the right adrenal gland was identified.
- The tumor measured 29 cm × 20 cm × 12 cm and weighed 7.8 kg, representing the largest reported case.
- Clinical presentation included hirsutism, amenorrhea, and a palpable abdominal mass.
Conclusions:
- This report describes the largest adrenocortical carcinoma case documented globally.
- Massive functional ACCs, though rare, can present with significant hormonal disturbances and physical findings.
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