Myxoid variant of adrenocortical carcinoma: report of a unique case

Pathol Int. 2006 Feb;56(2):89-94. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1827.2006.01929.x.

Abstract

Myxoid variant of adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC) are rare, there being only 11 cases in the literature to date. Reported herein are the findings of a case, which in contrast to all previously reported myxoid ACC, was devoid of typical non-myxoid areas. The patient was a 61-year-old man in whom a left adrenal mass was detected during investigation of Cushing's syndrome. The adrenal was replaced by malignant cells and expanses of myxoid material. The cells were positive for melan-A, synaptophysin, vimentin and alpha-inhibin. The ultrastructural features of the cells were typical of adrenal cortical differentiation. The differential diagnosis of myxoid ACC includes extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, chordoma, myxoid adenocarcinoma, myxoma, lipomatous tumors, nerve sheath tumors, smooth muscle tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumor and other sarcomas. The presence of myxoid material in a retroperitoneal lesion raises a broad differential diagnosis in which myxoid adrenocortical neoplasms should be included. Clinicoradiological correlation may be helpful, but special stains, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural examination may be necessary to establish the diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / pathology
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / ultrastructure
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma / chemistry
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma / pathology
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma / ultrastructure
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Chordoma / diagnosis
  • Chordoma / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • MART-1 Antigen
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Middle Aged
  • Myxoma / diagnosis
  • Myxoma / pathology
  • Neoplasm Proteins / analysis
  • Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / pathology
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Synaptophysin / analysis
  • Vimentin / analysis

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • MART-1 Antigen
  • MLANA protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Synaptophysin
  • Vimentin