Oncocytic Carcinoma: A Rare Hormone-Producing Tumor

Oncocytic adrenocortical carcinoma (OACC) is a rare type of malignancy that affects the adrenal cortex. We describe the case of a 68‑year‑old woman with months of refractory hypertension, hypokalemia, headaches, night sweats, and palpitations. Computed tomography revealed a 113 mm left adrenal mass displacing the pancreatic tail and spleen. After a multidisciplinary review, she underwent open adrenalectomy. The 355 g tumor was well circumscribed; histology showed abundant eosinophilic oncocytes arranged in nests and trabeculae, 36 mitoses per 50 high‑power fields (including atypical figures), necrosis, and venous invasion, and the Ki‑67 index was 10%. These findings satisfied major and minor Lin-Weiss-Bisceglia criteria, confirming OACC. Immunohistochemistry was positive for calretinin, Melan‑A, synaptophysin, and inhibin, consistent with adrenocortical origin. Postoperatively, hypertension and potassium levels normalized with reduced antihypertensive therapy; she commenced steroid replacement and adjuvant mitotane. At early follow‑up, she remained clinically stable and disease‑free. This case highlights the importance of considering OACC in patients with large adrenal masses and resistant hypertension, demonstrates the value of multidisciplinary management and definitive surgery, and contributes to the limited evidence guiding adjuvant therapy for this uncommon tumor.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2025-08-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.90450
Primary Topic
Adrenal and Paraganglionic Tumors
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Oncocytic Carcinoma: A Rare Hormone-Producing Tumor

Daniela Dias, Nuno Pinheiro, Francisco Silveira Guimarães, Joana Sobrinho Simões et al.
Cureus
Adrenal and Paraganglionic Tumors
article

Oncocytic Carcinoma: A Rare Hormone-Producing Tumor

Daniela Dias, Nuno Pinheiro, Francisco Silveira Guimarães, Joana Sobrinho Simões, Luísa Fontes
article en

Abstract

Oncocytic adrenocortical carcinoma (OACC) is a rare type of malignancy that affects the adrenal cortex. We describe the case of a 68‑year‑old woman with months of refractory hypertension, hypokalemia, headaches, night sweats, and palpitations. Computed tomography revealed a 113 mm left adrenal mass displacing the pancreatic tail and spleen. After a multidisciplinary review, she underwent open adrenalectomy. The 355 g tumor was well circumscribed; histology showed abundant eosinophilic oncocytes arranged in nests and trabeculae, 36 mitoses per 50 high‑power fields (including atypical figures), necrosis, and venous invasion, and the Ki‑67 index was 10%. These findings satisfied major and minor Lin-Weiss-Bisceglia criteria, confirming OACC. Immunohistochemistry was positive for calretinin, Melan‑A, synaptophysin, and inhibin, consistent with adrenocortical origin. Postoperatively, hypertension and potassium levels normalized with reduced antihypertensive therapy; she commenced steroid replacement and adjuvant mitotane. At early follow‑up, she remained clinically stable and disease‑free. This case highlights the importance of considering OACC in patients with large adrenal masses and resistant hypertension, demonstrates the value of multidisciplinary management and definitive surgery, and contributes to the limited evidence guiding adjuvant therapy for this uncommon tumor.

CureusVol. 17(8)
Companhia União Fabril (PT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 65%
Adrenal and Paraganglionic Tumors
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.