Adrenal cortical carcinoma. A series of 22 cases.

Objectives: Analysis of the treatment of a series of patients with adrenal cortical carcinoma. Material and Methods. This series consists of 22 patients (15 women and 7 men) with a mean age of 35 years (range: 23 to 58 years). 55% of patients han a non-secreting armour; 45% of tumours were associated with excessive hormonal secretion. The tumour was located on the right side in 12 cases and on the left side in 11 cases (the tumour was bilateral in 1 case). Ultrasound and CT were sufficient for localization of the tumour: The patients were classified as stage 1: 3 cases, stage II: 2 cases, stage III.: 8 cases, stage IV: 9 cases, according to MacFarlane's classification. Results: Adrenalectomy was performed in 18 patients. Two patients died during the operation and another 8 died within the first four. years. Eight patients are currently alive, including 7 with ao signs of recurrence; one patient presented a large local recurrence 39 months after adrenalectomy. Conclusion: Surgery remains the only effective treatment at the present rime. The diagnosis of adrenal cortical carcinoma must be made as early as possible.