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[Concepts in surgical therapy of kidney cancer].

Three new aspects of the operative treatment of renal cell carcinoma can be made out: 1. for the removal of tumor thrombus extending to the right atrium, the surgical technique of choice involves whole-body hypothermia and extra-corporeal circulation. Only in this way can these tumors be removed completely under good vision. 2. Provided the patient's contralateral kidney is healthy, even small peripheral renal tumors should be submitted to radical nephrectomy. The rate of concomitant small tumors is reported to be as high as 20, while the recurrent rate associated with local incision is just on 7%, and the risk of carcinomas developing in the contralateral kidney is only 1.8-3.8%. 3. Radical nephrectomy for tumor should continue to include the ipsilateral adrenal gland. Although in our own patients the incidence of simultaneous adrenal metastasis was only 1.4%, if the adrenal gland is left in situ, part of the renal capsule also has to be left behind, and the upper pole of the kidney dissected free, with the associated risk of disseminating tumor cells.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of the adrenal.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the adrenals was performed on 50 subjects: 5 normal volunteers, 6 Cushing patients with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, 14 patients with adrenal adenomas, 3 with adrenal carcinomas, 15 with pheochromocytomas and 7 with metastatic disease to the adrenal. The normal and hyperplastic adrenal glands were imaged in all cases. Using the signal intensity of the adrenals on a T2 weighted image, various forms of adrenal pathology could be differentiated. A ratio of signal intensity of the adrenal mass to the liver was utilized and allowed the differentiation of adrenal adenomas from adrenal carcinomas, pheochromocytomas and metastases. Using the same ratio, metastases could be distinguished from pheochromocytomas as well. MRI appears to be particularly valuable in distinguishing clinically silent adrenal metastases from nonfunctioning adrenal adenomas.

Adenoma↗

[Percutaneous fine-needle biopsy of the adrenal glands].

The percutaneous approach to the adrenal glands is impeded by their high paraaortal subphrenic location. Regarding the information conveyed in literature and referring to our experience, a summary of the technique, indication and findings of percutaneous biopsy of the adrenal gland is presented. Percutaneous needle biopsy of the right adrenal gland is most easily performed by lateral transhepatic approach under sonographic guidance, while in biopsy of the left adrenal gland protection of the spleen, kidney, pancreas and stomach can only be achieved by dorsal approach under CT control. At present, the main indication for biopsy of the adrenal gland still is differentiation between metastases and non-functioning adenomas in tumor patients. Adequate technique provided, the sensitivity of punctures of the adrenal gland varies from 80 to 90%. Clinical suspicion of pheochromocytoma is an absolute contraindication for fine needle biopsy.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗

Computed tomography of the adrenals.

A survey of computed tomographic (CT) findings in adrenal pathology is given based on a series of 50 patients examined over a period of 18 months. CT is an accurate non-invasive method of adrenal imaging and is the method of choice as primary radiological investigation in patients suspected of having adrenal disease or recurrent adrenal tumor.

Adolescent↗

Is ipsilateral adrenalectomy a necessary component of radical nephrectomy?

Due to the increased use of modern imaging systems during the last few years, kidney tumors are often diagnosed at an earlier and less advanced stage. This fact implies a reevaluation of the operative technique of radical nephrectomy that was recommended 30 years ago. The ipsilateral adrenal involvement during radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma is assessed and the necessity of its extirpation is discussed. Between September 1987 and September 1993, we performed 299 radical nephrectomies for renal cell carcinoma and removed 285 ipsilateral adrenal glands. Eleven adrenal glands (3.8%) were involved with the kidney tumor and 274 (96.2%) were free of disease. In 7 of the adrenal gland involved cases (63.6%) the tumor invaded the gland by direct extension from the superior pole of the kidney. In the other 4 cases the ipsilateral adrenal gland was affected by a metastatic lesion. In all 11 adrenal gland involved cases the tumors were at an advanced stage (the lowest was stage pT3N1). Our results led us to recommend adrenalectomy during radical nephrectomy only when direct extension of the kidney tumor into the gland is suspected (upper pole or large tumors) or when the adrenal is the site of a single metastasis. Macroscopically normal adrenal glands at radical nephrectomy should not be routinely extirpated. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (not by contiguity) in the ipsilateral adrenal gland should be regarded as a stage M+ (distant metastasis) tumor.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Nuclear DNA content, proliferation index and nuclear size determination in normal and tumoral adrenal tissues, pheochromocytomas and metastases.

The diagnostic values of nuclear size, proliferation index and ploidy level were investigated in a series of 58 samples from adrenal glands, including 9 samples from normal adrenal glands, 18 adenomas, 3 carcinomas, 16 pheochromocytomas and 12 metastases. Nuclear assessments were computed on Feulgen-stained nuclei by means of a cell image processor. Ploidy level was assessed by means of both the DNA index and DNA histogram type. The results show that nuclear size and proliferation index do not allow any discrimination between these various histopathologic subgroups. The measurement of ploidy level made it possible to obtain helpful information about these various histopathologic groups. Indeed, all the normal cases (except one from a malignant kidney tissue) and all adenomas (except one) were diploid, while most (but not all) of the remaining cases, including carcinomas, pheochromocytomas and metastases, were aneuploid. Furthermore, with this measurement we were able to show that some tendencies appear across these histopathologic groups. Indeed, the metastases contained a high proportion of aneuploid cases, whereas pheochromocytomas were frequently tetraploid. The results also show that the assessment of ploidy level by means of the DNA histogram type is more accurate than with measurement of the DNA index.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Adrenal insufficiency secondary to carcinoma metastatic to the adrenal gland.

Four patients are reported in whom adrenocortical insufficiency developed consequent to carcinoma metastatic to the adrenal glands. Recognition and treatment of this entity may lead to palliation of symptoms and prolongation of useful life. The computerized axial tomographic scanner is a valuable diagnostic aid in diagnosing adrenal enlargement.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Pediatric malignant pheochromocytoma.

Pediatric malignant pheochromocytomas are very rare tumors, and no institution has more than one or two of these problem cases. The authors report on two children with such tumors, over a 9-year period, from two hospitals. In 1984, D.B. (14 years of age) presented with symptoms and signs of extradural metastasis from a right adrenal primary; he also had lung and bone metastases. After spinal decompression almost 4 years. He has remained well and is in remission 6 years later. In 1987, G.R. (13 years of age) presented with a larger right adrenal malignant pheochromocytoma invading surrounding structures; he also had liver metastasis. Preoperative chemotherapy did not shrink the tumor much; it was grossly resected, and there were many postoperative problems. In 1990, bone metastases developed, for which radiotherapy and chemotherapy were used. Three years later, the metastases have not disappeared; he remains on chemotherapy, and his liver function is borderline. From our small experience as well as a literature review, it appears that surgical excision remains the treatment of choice for the pediatric malignant phoechromocytoma. Unresectable tumors may be rendered resectable by intensive chemotherapy (similar to that used for neuroblastoma); adjuvant chemotherapy should be used for residual disease after surgery and for metastatic disease.

Adolescent↗

The value of CT scanning and percutaneous fine needle aspiration of adrenal masses in biopsy-proven lung cancer.

Pre-operative CT scans of 546 patients with biopsy-proven primary bronchial carcinoma were reviewed. Twenty-two patients had a solid adrenal tumour (2 bilateral). Sixteen underwent percutaneous fine needle aspiration (FNA). Malignant cells were aspirated in five, eight revealed benign cells and in three cases there was insufficient material for diagnostic purposes. Six patients did not undergo FNA, four of these were considered to have benign adenomas on CT. This was confirmed by the unchanged CT image at more than 21 months follow-up. The five subjects with FNA-proven metastases died at a median of 14 months (range 3-24 months). All five would have been regarded as operable on their staging chest CT scan. Five patients with a negative biopsy underwent surgery, two died of metastases at 6 and 11 months respectively and one died of post-operative complications. The other two have unchanged adrenal lesions on CT at 9 months and 25 months. The CT appearances of these lesions were analysed. Well defined, low attenuation lesions which had a smooth attenuation rim or only involved part of the gland were benign and the survivors had unchanged CT appearances at follow-up (six lesions in five patients). Of these four lesions were less than or equal to 2 cm in diameter. Low attenuation lesions without a rim were malignant (n = 2). These latter both measured more than 2 cm in diameter. The CT appearances of many adrenal lesions were insufficiently distinctive to exclude malignancy and biopsy was necessary to establish a diagnosis.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Laparoscopic upper pole partial nephrectomy with concomitant en bloc adrenalectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To report our experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal tumor with concomitant adrenalectomy. An upper pole renal tumor may contiguously involve the adrenal gland, requiring concomitant adrenalectomy. Although commonly performed in the setting of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, concomitant adrenalectomy has not been described during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. METHODS: Four patients with an upper pole renal tumor and suspected adrenal involvement underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with concomitant ipsilateral adrenalectomy. Preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography revealed the renal tumor to be closely abutting the adrenal gland in 3 patients and a 4-cm adrenal mass in 1 patient. The mean renal tumor size was 3.2 cm (range 1.4 to 6.6). To maintain oncologic principles, our transperitoneal laparoscopic technique excises the adrenal gland en bloc with the renal tumor. As such, adrenalectomy is performed first, followed by partial nephrectomy, incorporating hilar control, tumor excision, and sutured renal reconstruction. RESULTS: All four procedures were performed without open conversion or intraoperative complications. The mean renal warm ischemia time was 36 minutes, estimated blood loss 169 mL, total operating time 3.9 hours, and hospital stay 3.2 days. One patient developed a transient urinary leak postoperatively. Pathologic examination of the renal tumor revealed renal cell carcinoma (n = 1), dystrophic calcification with ectopic bone formation (n = 1), adult mesoblastic nephroma (n = 1), and subcapsular heterotopic adrenal cortex with cyst (n = 1), all with negative surgical margins. Pathologic examination of the adrenal gland revealed adenoma in 1 case and a normal adrenal gland without malignant involvement in 3 cases. All patients were disease free at last follow-up (mean 6.2 months, range 2 to 12). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with an upper pole renal tumor and radiologically suspected adrenal involvement, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with concomitant adrenalectomy can be performed efficaciously respecting oncologic principles.

Adenoma↗

Coexpression of p53 and tissue transglutaminase genes in human normal and pathologic adrenal tissues.

The presence of p53 and tissue transglutaminase (tTG) gene expressions was investigated in human normal and pathologic adrenal tissues with two aims (1) to determine the tissue content of p53 protein, its messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and, especially, tTG mRNA which has not been previously reported and (2) to study possible differences in the coexpression of p53 and tTG in various adrenal disorders. Using Northern blot analysis, p53 and tTG mRNAs were detected in each adrenal tissue examined including 5 normal human adrenals, 6 aldosterone-producing adenomas, 3 Cushing's adenomas, 1 primary nodular adrenocortical hyperplasia causing Cushing's syndrome in an infant, 12 non-hyperfunctioning adrenocortical adenomas, and 4 adrenocortical carcinomas. The results showed a significant positive correlation between these two mRNAs in all adrenal tissues except adrenocortical carcinomas. Compared to normal adrenals, high p53 mRNA levels were observed in aldosterone-producing and Cushing's adenomas and, most markedly, in a tissue from a primary nodular adrenocortical hyperplasia. Also, Cushing's adenomas had significantly higher tTG mRNA contents. Immunohistochemistry for wild-type and mutant p53 protein showed numerous p53 positive cells with a strong nuclear staining in a tissue from a primary nodular adrenocortical hyperplasia, whereas the p53 positive cells were absent, except those with a faint nuclear staining, in all other adrenal tissues. However, all adrenal tissues showed detectable p53 contents by the more sensitive method of luminometric immunoassay (LIA). Using this method, aldosterone-producing adenomas exhibited significantly higher p53 contents than normal adrenal tissues. These observations may support potentially important roles for p53 and tTG in adrenal pathophysiology, especially in mechanisms which influence the evolution and/or progression of aldosterone-producing and Cushing's adenomas and, most probably, hyperplasias.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗