[Malignant tumors of the adrenal cortex]

The authors report the clinico-anatomical analysis of 23 observations on malignant tumors of the adrenal cortex. The greatest diagnostic difficulties are encountered in the so-called "non-functioning" tumors, devoid of normal activity and mostly observed in adults. To pinpoint further the diagnosis, a wide use of morphological methods, especially needle biopsy, is recommended. A prolonged preclinical period, a tendency to predominantly hematogenic metastases spread, the fibrinolytic activity of parenchymal cells, pyrogenic and allergic effects of the catabolism products should be referred to as the biological features of the tumor. Bilateral involvement of adrenal glands sometimes depends on multicentric growth of a hormone-dependent tumor.