Adrenal myelolipoma with translocation (3;21)(q25;p11).
Adrenal myelolipoma (ML) is a rare, benign, nonfunctioning tumor-like lesion composed of mature adipose tissue interspersed with bone marrow-like hematopoietic elements in various proportions. It occurs usually in adults and is frequently asymptomatic in about half of cases. The histogenesis of adrenal ML is not clear and this lesion has been found to be associated with endocrine disorders, other adrenal dysfunction and tumors, and hyperstimulation with adrenocorticotropic hormone. Specific chromosomal abnormalities, however, have not been observed in such cases. Herein, we report a typical case of adrenal ML found incidentally in a 26-year-old man. Conventional cytogenetic techniques demonstrated balanced translocation between bands 3q25 and 21p11 in 9 of 20 metaphases analyzed in cultured tumor cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of adrenal ML showing chromosomal abnormality. This finding would indicate that adrenal ML is a bona fide neoplasm and the possibility of derivation from misplaced hematopoietic cells may be alternatively taken into consideration in view of the similar genetic changes in hematopolietic neoplasms.
Chang
Kong Chao
KC
Department of Pathology, National Chen Kung University Medical Center, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan, Taiwan 70428.
Chen
Pei Ih
PI
Huang
Zen Hung
ZH
Lin
Yung Ming
YM
Kuo
Pao Lin
PL
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D002891:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 / Q000235:genetics*; D002893:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D018209:Myelolipoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D014178:Translocation, Genetic