PULMONARY METASTASES FROM ADRENAL-CORTICAL CARCINOMA - RESULTS OF RESECTION

Adrenal cortical carcinoma is uncommon. There is little controversy co ncerning treatment of the primary tumor. However, data concerning the treatment of pulmonary metastases are sparse. In order to assess the r esults of therapy, we reviewed our 14-year experience. Records of 24 p atients admitted to our institution from 1973 to 1991 with the diagnos is of adrenal cortical carcinoma and pulmonary metastases were reviewe d. Ten patients underwent pulmonary resection, 12 received chemotherap y, and 2 no therapy. In the pulmonary resection group, treatment consi sted of wedge resection in 8 patients and lobectomy in 2. For the 10 p atients undergoing resection of their pulmonary metastases, the 5-year survival was 71% (median not reached at 5 years). This was significan tly longer than those not resected, with no one alive at 3 years (medi an survival 11 months). Our data suggest that those patients who are a ble to have their pulmonary metastases resected survive significantly longer than those who do not. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.