title: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for a late solitary renal cell cancer metastasis to the ipsilateral adrenal gland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metastases to the adrenal gland are the second most common type of adrenal mass lesion after adrenocortical adenomas [1, 2]. However, less than 2% of those patients who develop a metachronous metastasis after resection of a primary renal tumour will present with a solitary adrenal tumour [3]. Most of these patients present within several years of the primary diagnosis [4].
  
  
  METHODS
  A 66-year-old man with a history of left nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma 18 years previously was investigated for recent weight loss. Computed tomography scanning identified a lesion in the ipsilateral adrenal gland. Hormonal investigations were consistent with a non-functioning mass. Magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography scans suggested a malignant lesion. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed without complication and histopathological examination confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The patient remains well with no evidence of recurrence at 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe, effective treatment in the treatment of late solitary renal cell cancer metastasis to the ipsilateral adrenal gland.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ward 6C, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, BT12 6AB, Northern Ireland, UK. damianmcg@gmail.com
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McGrogan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCavert
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dolan
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000368:Aged; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male