SUN-180 A Case of Deoxycorticosterone-Producing Malignant Adrenocortical Tumor

Abstract

Background: Hypermineralocorticism (hypertension, hypokalemia, and low plasma renin activity) due to deoxycorticosterone (DOC) excess associated with adrenocortical carcinoma is extremely rare. DOC-producing tumors cause primary aldosteronism-like symptoms presenting low plasma aldosterone with very high DOC levels, and due to weak hormonal DOC activity, its diagnostic is done lately. Generally, malignant cases are progressive with a dismal prognosis. Clinical case: A 61-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital presenting lumbar pain and weight loss of 8 kg, in 2018. Previously, arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 2015, showing a satisfactory control with two classes of antihypertensive drugs. Physical exam: The patient presented no features of Cushing syndrome, but a palpable abdominal mass was noticed in the right flank. Blood pressure was 160x100 mmHg, with sustained high levels, despite regular treatment. Laboratory data: a hypokalemia (K 2.4 mEq/L, nr 3.5 -5.0 mEq/L) and hypernatremia (Na 146 mEq/L, nr 135 to 145 mEq/L), with metabolic alkalosis (venous pH 7.46 and serum bicarbonate 32 mmol/L, nr 23-27 mmol/L) was confirmed. Hormonal tests excluded hypercortisolism and pheocromocytoma. Serum aldosterone and renin were suppressed. Mineralocorticoid precursors dosage was extremely high, DOC (654 ng/dL, nr < 25 ng/dL) and progesterone (5.0 ng/mL, nr <0.89 ng/mL), as well 11-deoxycortisol (7.2 ng/mL, nr <0.5 ng/mL). Radiological imaging: abdominal CT showed a heterogeneous hypervascular adrenal mass (13.0x13.0x21.0 cm) exhibiting central necrosis, suggesting malignancy. FDG-PET/CT scan showed a hypermetabolic adrenal mass (SUVmax=13.8). Also, two metabolically active pulmonary nodules (SUVmax=3.7) measuring 0.7 and 0.4 cm were detected. The patient underwent right adrenalectomy, and the tumor was removed (24x13x13 cm). According to Weiss criteria (8/9) and modified Weiss criteria (5/7), the tumor was considered an adrenocortical carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry revealed a low Ki-67 index (10%). After the surgical procedure, all adrenal steroid levels normalized, and mitotane was prescribed as adjuvant therapy. Although the pulmonary nodules were stable at the four-month follow-up, the abdominal CT-scan revealed a heterogeneous nodule (3.7cm) in the left adrenal gland, which was suspicious of metastasis. Conclusion: DOC-producing adrenocortical tumors are heterogeneous regarding tumor size, clinical behavior, hormonal and metabolites secretion, and disease-free and overall survival; however, it is common hypokalemia, hypertension, and other symptoms as abdominal pain, due to tumor growth, and weight loss. The association of arterial hypertension with hypokalemia and elevated 11-deoxycortisol, with normal aldosterone and renin, lead to the need for mineralocorticoid precursors evaluation in patients with adrenocortical tumor.