Diagnosis and treatment of functional adrenal cortical carcinoma

Purpose: To study the diagnosis and treatment of functional adrenal cortical carcinoma. Methods: Eight cases of functional adrenal cortical carcinoma were treated surgically during the period of 1978~1997.They were confirmed operatively and pathologically. Results: The functional carcinoma usually showed typical clinical features such as Cushing's syndrome, primary aldosteronism, and adrenogenital syndrome. A definite diagnosis can be made by the measurements of urine 17 hydrosteroid,cortisol, aldosterone, CT and B ultrasonography. Conclusions: Surgical removal of the tumor is the only effective treatment. Surgical resection with post operative chemotherapy and radiotherapy may improve the outcome. Early diagnosis of adrenal cortical carcinoma is very difficult, causing an unsatisfactory prognosis.