Metastatic bilateral adrenal sarcomatoid carcinoma: Evaluation by 18F-FDG PET/CT

Asia Ocean J Nucl Med Biol. 2022 Spring;10(2):151-154. doi: 10.22038/AOJNMB.2021.57606.1400.

Abstract

Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the adrenal gland is an uncommon presentation of malignant adrenal tumors and bilateral presentation is extremely rare. It is an extremely rare occurrence, unusual symptoms, and both epithelioid and sarcomatoid components in histology are a challenge to diagnose sarcomatoid carcinoma of adrenal origin. The majority of patients are diagnosed at a later stage while having metastatic disease and succumb due to disease within a few months of diagnosis due to the aggressive nature of the disease. Probably due to the advanced disease at the time of diagnosis; patients diagnosed having adrenal sarcomatoid tumor have a very poor prognosis. In nonmetastatic disease, adjuvant chemotherapy is suggested after the removal of the tumor. It is essential to diagnose these tumors earliest to treat with effective treatment modalities. The present study describes the rare case of sarcomatoid carcinoma involving the bilateral adrenal gland with metastasis to bones, lymph nodes, and pleura evaluated by 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Keywords: 18F-FDG PET/CT; Adrenal sarcomatoid carcinoma; Spindle cell.

Publication types

  • Case Reports