title: Profile and outcome of pure androgen-secreting adrenal tumors in women: experience of 21 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to determine the outcome and possible prognostic factors of pure androgen-secreting adrenal tumors (PASATs).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a review of 801 adrenal operations from 1970 through 2003, 21 women with PASATs were divided into 2 groups, benign and undetermined tumors (Weiss score < or = 3) (BT = 11) and malignant tumors (Weiss > or =4 or nonresectable) (MT = 10).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups, age at presentation was similar. There were no differences concerning type of secretion, but increase in testosterone level was 2.6-fold greater in malignant tumors (MT) than benign tumors (BT). Imaging studies allowed diagnosis of malignancy in 4 of 10 MT. Size and weight were greater for MT than for BT (average, 13.7 vs 9.2 cm and 1462 vs 206 g). At follow-up (median, 17 y; range, 1 to 33 y) 2 of 11 patients with BT died of unrelated causes, and 9 of 11 are alive without recurrence; 5 of 10 patients with MT died of disease, and 3 are alive with disease; 7 of those 8 patients had stage III or IV disease and/or had a Weiss score of 6 or greater. Two patients with MT are alive without disease; both were Weiss 7, stage II and received mitotane postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PASATs of undetermined benign condition share the good prognosis of BT. Weiss score is diagnostic of malignancy. MacFarlane classification determines the prognosis, and long-term disease-free survivors at stages III/IV are never observed after operation only. Postoperative mitotane therapy might be beneficial at stage II.
authors.affiliation: Clinique Chirurgicale, Service de Chirurgie Générale et Endocrienne, Université de Lille, Hôpital Claude Huriez, Rue Michel Polonovski, 59037 Lille Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Sebastián
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Montoya
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Emmanuelle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leteurtre
authors.forename: Sebastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aubert
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Vantyghem
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dewailly
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wemeau
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Proye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone