[Adrenal cortex neoplasms in children: diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties]

Two cases of adrenal cortical carcinoma in the pediatric age group are reported: the first case regards a fourteen month old female patient which presented with virilization and Cushing's syndrome: the second case regards a twelve year old boy with severe hypertension. Histopathologic distinction between benign and malignant adrenal cortical neoplasms is difficult: the usual cytologic criteria of benignity and malignancy in relation to prognosis are not very helpful while tumor size and tumor invasion appear to be the more important prognostic factors. Therefore early diagnosis, which is easier in the pediatric age because of the more frequent presentation of these neoplasms with hormonal effects, is essential.