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Choi, So, Hwang, Jeong, Ahn, Chung, and Yang: A Case of Adrenocortical Carcinoma Secreting Cortisol, Androgen and Aldosterone
Case Report
Endocrinology and Metabolism

Endocrinology and Metabolism 2011; 26(3): 239-242.

Published online: 27 September 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2011.26.3.239

A Case of Adrenocortical Carcinoma Secreting Cortisol, Androgen and Aldosterone

Jae Ho Choi, Ye Ri So, Yu Chul Hwang, In-Kyung Jeong, Kyu Jeung Ahn, Ho Yeon Chung, Seung-Ae Yang1

Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.

1College of Nursing, Sungshin Women's University, Seoul, Korea.

Corresponding author: Ho Yeon Chung. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-702, Korea. Tel: +82-2-440-6124, Fax: +82-2-440-8150, chy1009@hotmail.com

Received 13 July 2010       Accepted 15 December 2010

Copyright © 2011 Korean Endocrine Society

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Primary adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare tumor, and is characterized by a peri-tumor mass effect and hormone excess signs. Adrenocortical carcinoma most commonly secretes cortisol, but tumors that secrete other adrenal hormones (aldosterone, androgen) are rare. Herein, we report the case of a 70-year-old woman with cortisol, androgen, and aldosterone-secreting adrenal carcinoma. The patient complained of generalized weakness, moon face, and central obesity. On laboratory examination, hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis was detected. On the hormone test, cortisol, DHEA-S, and aldosterone were all increased. Abdominal CT showed a large right adrenal mass. She underwent right adrenalectomy and the histology revealed the presence of an adrenocortical carcinoma. After adrenalectomy, the patient was treated with hydrocortisone and mitotane.

Keywords: Adrenocortical carcinoma, Androgen, Cortisol, Cushing's syndrome, Primary aldosteronism

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Abdominal CT scan showing a large right adrenal mass (maxinum diameter, 10 cm).
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Fig. 2
PET-CT shows highly active lesion in right adrenal area.
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Fig. 3
Microscopic findings of the surgically removed tumor (H&E stain, × 400).
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