What is the best approach to an apparently nonmetastatic adrenocortical carcinoma?

Abstract

In suspected nonmetastatic adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) a careful preoperative diagnostic work up is needed including comprehensive endocrine analysis as recommended by the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors (http://www.ENSAT.org/ACC.htm). Staging prior surgery, in particular chest CT, is indispensable to exclude distant metastases. Open surgery is still the recommended approach in ACC. However, in localized non-invasive ACC with a diameter <10 cm laparoscopic adrenalectomy by an expert surgeon is probably similarly effective and safe. As many patients will suffer from tumor recurrence after seemingly complete removal of ACC, adjuvant treatment based on the individual risk status is recommended. Key factors for risk assessment are tumor stage, resection status and the proliferation marker Ki67. All patients considered at high risk for recurrence should receive adjuvant mitotane for a minimum of 2 years aiming at a drug level of 14-20 mg/l. In selected patients (e.g. R1 resection) we recommend additional radiotherapy of the tumor bed. Patients with a low/intermediate risk for recurrence should be included in the Adiuvo trial comparing adjuvant mitotane with observation only (http://www.adiuvo-trial.org). In low/intermediate risk patients who cannot be included in this trial observation only can be justified in cases with a tumor diameter of <8 cm and no microscopic evidence for invasion of blood vessels or tumor capsule. In all patients a structured follow-up for 10 years is strongly recommended.