[Adrenocortical carcinoma. Current approaches in diagnosis and treatment]

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor. The survival rate is related to a radical tumor resection. However, adrenocortical carcinomas are usually diagnosed in advanced stage. Although some cases of long-term regressions of metastases under op'-DDD (Mitotane) therapy have been sometimes reported the overall efficiency of mitotane in prolonging life remains controversial. Between May 1975 and January 1994, 9 patients were surgically treated for adrenocortical carcinoma at our institution. There were 6 females and 3 males, mean age 40.8 years (median 40 years). Five (55.6%) patients presented with abdominal pain, whereas 4 (44.4%) patients had symptoms of hormone secretion (cortisol). One patient was lost at follow-up. Overall survival rate was 16.8 +/- 5.9 months, the survival rates according to tumor stage were: stage I. 58 months (1 case), stage II. 6 and 16 (2 cases; mean 11 months), stage III. 7, 15.17 and 22 (4 cases, mean 15 months) and stage IV. 9 months (1 case). The progression of the disease is not controlled by the administration of op'-DDD and the best treatment is represented by surgery.