Adrenocortical Carcinoma

Findings in life sciences reported from L. Groussin and co-researchers

Adrenocortical Carcinoma Library Library Home This article was published in Clinical Oncology Week, which you can subscribe to online.

"The objective of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-18-FDG PET) to predict malignancy in patients without a previous history of cancer. This was a prospective, multicenter study from 2001 to 2006. The study was conducted at a network of seven university hospitals in Paris. Seventy-seven patients were included. All underwent surgery because of hypersecretory and/or growing benign lesions (n = 18), obvious ACCs (n = 21), or radiologically indeterminate lesions (n = 38). The degree of F-18-FDG PET uptake [maximum standardized uptake value (maxSUV)] was related to the pathological findings serving as a reference, and its diagnostic value was compared with that of computerized tomography (CT) scan. Pathology eventually diagnosed 43 ACAs, 22 ACCs, and 12 nonadrenocortical lesions. Using a cutoff value above 1.45 for adrenal to liver maxSUV ratio, the sensitivity and specificity to distinguish ACAs from ACCs were, respectively, 1.00 (95% confidence interval 0.85-1.00) and 0.88 (95% confidence interval 0.75-0.96). Among the 38 indeterminate lesions at CT scan, we could analyze a subgroup of 16 adrenocortical tumors with high unenhanced density (> 10 HU) and an inappropriate washout: F-18-FDG PET correctly predicted the benignity in 13 of 15 ACAs. In a multidisciplinary team approach, F-18-FDG PET helps to manage suspicious CT scan lesions," wrote L. Groussin and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "An adrenal to liver maxSUV ratio less than 1.45 is highly predictive of a benign lesion. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 94: 1713-1722, 2009)'."

Groussin and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (F-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography for the Diagnosis of Adrenocortical Tumors: A Prospective Study in 77 Operated Patients. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2009;94(5):1713-1722).

For more information, contact L. Groussin, Hopital Cochin, Service Malad Endocriniennes & Metab, Dept. of Endocrinol, Center Rare Adrenal Diseases, AP HP, 27 Rue Faubourg St. Jacques, F-75014 Paris, France.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism is: Endocrine Society, 8401 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 900, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-5817, USA.

Keywords: France, Paris, Life Sciences, Adrenocortical Cancer, Adrenocortical Carcinoma, Oncology, Endocrinology, Adenoma, Clinical Endocrinology, Metabolism, Surgery.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.