5th International ACC Symposium: Imaging for Diagnosis and Surveillance of Adrenal Tumors--New Advances and Reviews of Old Concepts.

Abstract

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is often diagnosed incidentally. However, significant difficulties persist in diagnosing the rare ACC among the very common benign adrenal tumors, which are present in up to 5% of the population. Due to the very low prevalence of ACC, prospective studies are impossible to conduct. Two recent studies took the approach of reviewing preexisting adrenal tumors prior to the diagnosis of ACC. These data challenge current concepts of diagnosis and surveillance of incidentally discovered masses. Oncocytomas (benign and malignant) represent an entity that can be difficult to be diagnosed by radiographic characteristics and even histologically. However, some recent data provides insight into their appearance in imaging procedures. With regards to ACC specific imaging, which could be applied for differential diagnosis of adrenal tumors, surgery planning and surveillance several radionucleotides have been evaluated over the last decades showing promising results. Of particular interest, these substances can potentially be used for therapy as well.