Cellular Classification

Adrenocortical carcinoma can be classified as follows:

• Differentiated: Functioning tumors are usually differentiated.
• Anaplastic: Production of hormones by anaplastic tumors is rare.
• Hormonal: Approximately 60% of adrenocortical carcinomas produce hormones. The associated clinical syndromes include the following:[1-3]
  • Hypercortisolism (Cushing syndrome).
  • Adrenogenital syndrome.
  • Virilization.
  • Feminization.
  • Precocious puberty.
  • Hyperaldosteronism.
  • Primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn syndrome).

References

1. Javadpour N, Woltering EA, Brennan MF: Adrenal neoplasms. Curr Probl Surg 17 (1): 1-52, 1980.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
2. Nader S, Hickey RC, Sellin RV, et al.: Adrenal cortical carcinoma. A study of 77 cases. Cancer 52 (4): 707-11, 1983.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
3. Norton JA: Adrenal tumors. In: DeVita VT Jr, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds.: Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005, pp 1528-39.