Radiopharmaceutical Theranostics in Primary Adrenal Malignancies: A Surgeon's Perspective

Radiopharmaceutical Theranostics defines the combination of molecularly targeted imaging and therapy in two consecutive phases. Targeted theranostic approaches are most established for the management of advanced prostate, thyroid and hepatocellular cancer, as well as neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Adrenal malignancies present a complex challenge, requiring highly specialized management. The two primary entities addressed by targeted radiotheranostics-pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL) and adrenocortical cancer (ACC)-consist of fundamentally distinct molecular targets and, consequently, different radiopharmaceutical agents. While most existing literature focuses on nuclear medicine-driven perspectives, the implications of theranostic advances for surgical decision-making remain underexplored. This narrative review aims to integrate available clinical evidence with multidisciplinary practice considerations, in reshaping the role of surgery in adrenal malignancies.