Classification of adrenal cortical tumors: Promise of the ‘molecular’ approach

Abstract

Surgical pathologists, using routine histological techniques and tumor morphology, have established the overall taxonomy of adrenal cortical tumors that dictates care of patients with these tumors. However, a novel molecular classification of these tumors would provide numerous benefits to clinicians and patients, including a more accurate classification of diagnostically intermediate tumors, separation of carcinomas into prognostically-relevant subgroups, and optimal selection of therapy. Recent advances towards a molecular classification of adrenal cortical tumors are presented and discussed.