Context: Oncocytic tumors of the adrenal cortex are rare, mostly nonfunctioning and benign.
Setting: Report virilizing oncocytic adrenocortical carcinoma in a 50-year-old woman.
Patient: She presented a recent and progressive virilization syndrome, associated with high blood pressure. Hormonal evaluation showed elevated serum testosterone and delta-4-androstenedione levels, normal urinary free cortisol level and incomplete suppression of cortisol at the 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test. CT scan of the abdomen revealed a 35 mm left adrenal mass.
Intervention: The patient underwent a left adrenalectomy, and the histological study showed a 3 cm oncocytic adrenocortical carcinoma with signs of malignancy.
Results: Immunohistochemical study revealed that tumor cells expressed the steroidogenic enzymes involved into androgen synthesis (3βHSD and P450c17α), P450 aromatase and luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors. Post-operatively, signs of virilization improved rapidly, serum testosterone and delta-4-androstenedione levels returned to normal, as did the dexamethasone suppression test. During follow-up CT-scan and 18-FDG PET/CT showed a right ovary mass, corresponding to a follicular cyst associated with hyperthecosis. The patient is alive with no recurrence 48 months after adrenal surgery.
Conclusion: Oncocytic adrenocortical carcinomas, although extremely rare, should be considered in women with a virilization syndrome. In this woman immunohistochimical studies revealed the presence of steroidogenic enzymes involved into androgen synthesis and aromatization, and LH receptors could be implicated in this pathology.
Keywords: Immunohistochemistry; luteinizing hormone receptors; oncocytic adrenocortical carcinoma; steroidogenic enzymes; virilization.