Treatment of malignant adrenal cortex carcinoma
Andrès, E.; Grunenberger, F.; Kurtz, J.E.; Goichot, B.; Dufour, P.; Schlienger, J.L.
Presse Medicale 26(18): 880-884
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0755-4982 PMID: 9207891 Document Number: 472581
UNCOMMON MALIGNANCY: Adrenocortical carcinoma is a very rare malignancy with poor prognosis. Median survival ranges from 12 to 25 months. Most clinicians recommend aggressive surgical management of either local or recurrent and metastatic disease. ANTICORTISOL AGENTS: Mitotane, the most tested agent against inoperable and metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma, procures overall response rates of 20 to 25%, but recent data do not support its use in the adjuvant setting. The efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapy is low but new agents or associations (with platinum salts), new concepts (dose-intensification, MDR (the chemoresistance gene) reversing agents) may be useful and five some hope in this difficult disease. The role of radiation therapy must be developed.