Potassium losing, aldosterone producing adrenocortical carcinoma: a rare presentation

BMJ Case Rep. 2020 Sep 9;13(9):e235317. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-235317.

Abstract

Adrenocortical carcinomas (ACCs) are rare malignancies with an incidence of one to two per million per year. Aldosterone-producing ACCs (APACs) are extremely rare with an incidence less than 1%. We describe a rare case of APAC, presenting with episodic lower-limb weakness and hypertension. Our patient was found to have serum aldosterone levels of 20.8 ng/dL (2.5-15.2) with persistent hypokalaemia and a 9.7×8.3×7.7 cm right adrenal mass, which was suspicious of malignancy on evaluation. He underwent a complete surgical resection which confirmed the diagnosis of ACC and normalised his aldosterone and potassium levels. He was then subjected to postoperative chemotherapy. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with mitotane has a role in preventing recurrence.

Keywords: adrenal disorders; endocrine cancer; hypertension; surgical oncology; urological surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Cortex / pathology
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms* / physiopathology
  • Adrenalectomy / methods*
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma* / metabolism
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma* / pathology
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma* / physiopathology
  • Adult
  • Aldosterone / blood*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / methods
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / diagnosis
  • Hypertension* / etiology
  • Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis* / diagnosis
  • Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis* / etiology
  • Male
  • Potassium / blood
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Aldosterone
  • Potassium