title: [Unusual endocrine behavior in adrenal carcinoma. A case study].
abstract: The Authors report a case of left adrenal mass incidentally discovered by upper abdominal echogram in a 40 year old man. Physical examination showed no signs of hypercortisolism and plasma cortisol and ACTH levels were in the normal range as well as urinary free cortisol. After adrenalectomy, 4 and 8 month follow-up was performed, without clinical, hormonal and TC evolution. Thirteen months later the patient was referred to our department for widespread oedema, hypertension, hypokalemia and alkalosis. These symptoms were associated with dramatically elevated concentrations of plasmatic and free urinary cortisol. TC showed a large mass in the same adrenal region and diffuse hepatic metastases. In spite of mitotane and ketoconazole therapy the patient died few weeks later.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo (Foggia).
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zingrillo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Errico
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: D'Aloiso
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torlontano
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Parracino
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gomes
mesh_terms: D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000328:Adult; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D015994:Incidence; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
vernacular_title: Insolito comportamento endocrino di carcinoma surrenalico. Studio di un caso.