Bilateral Adrenalectomy for Metastatic Breast Carcinoma

Ninety-five patients who underwent bilateral adrenalectomy for metastatic breast carcinoma are reviewed. An objective remission of tumor was observed in 66% of the patients over the age of 45 years with metastasis limited to soft tissue, osseous, or pulmonary system. In those patients below the age of 45, only 19% had remission irrespective of the sites of metastasis. Thirty-three patients were admitted with no "free interval," with objective remission occuring in 42%. This observation indicates that the "free interval" is not as striking a determinant in selecting adrenalectomy candidates as had been stressed by others. The serial treatment of adrenalectomy followed by chemotherapy after adrenalectomy failure or relapse was shown to objectively benefit 74% of 72 patients evaluated. Sulfokinase activity in breast cancer tissue was studied in 17 patients. The results were not as definitive as reported by others.