Pregnancy in a Patient With Adrenal Carcinoma Treated With Mitotane: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) affects patients in a broad age group, including young women. Mitotane, an adrenolytic agent, is the mainstay of treatment after surgical removal of the tumor. There is extreme paucity of information regarding the effect of mitotane on childbearing potential and pregnancy outcome. The aim of the study was to describe and discuss the case of an ACC patient who conceived while on mitotane treatment. Current literature is reviewed. A 33-year-old woman received mitotane treatment for 4 years due to metastatic ACC. Despite nearly therapeutic blood levels of the drug, the patient had regular menstruation and was able to conceive. Mitotane was stopped at gestation week 6. Although the drug continued to be detected in considerable amounts, the fetus developed normally, including morphologically intact adrenal glands. At gestation week 21, pregnancy was terminated due to ACC recurrence. Mitotane levels were undetectable in fetal cord blood and amniotic fluid. Our report suggests that mitotane, despite its action as an endocrine disruptor, does not affect normal gonadal function or an ability to conceive. The concern of placental transfer by this hydrophobic compound is not supported by our findings. However, we do not recommend drawing conclusions regarding the safety of mitotane in pregnancy, based on 1 or several case reports. Until more data are available, pregnancy should be avoided in women being treated with mitotane for ACC.