2003 Volume 43 Issue 4 Pages 341-344
Background. Metastatic adrenal tumors of lung cancer are frequently found at autopsy, but are rarely surgically treated. However, recently metastasis is detected earlier because of progress in radiological diagnosis. Therefore, there are increasing reports that adrenalectomy could obtain long-term survival. We report two resected cases of adrenal metastases after resection for lung cancer. Case 1. A 68-year-old man underwent right upper lobectomy at age 66 (pT1NOMO stage IA). One year and 3 months later, CT scan showed a left adrenal gland tumor. Although it was thought to be metastasis from lung cancer, the patient was not treated. Later, at the time when he underwent laparotomy for another disease, adrenalectomy was performed. The adrenal tumor was confirmed pathologically to be metastasis from lung cancer and 3 years and 9 months after the adrenalectomy, the patient is well without evidence of recurrent disease. Case 2. A 65-year-old man underwent right middle and lower lobe resection at age 64 (pT1N2M0 stage IIIA). One year later, right adrenal tumor was pointed out on a CT scan. Solitary adrenal metastasis of lung cancer was suspected and adrenalectomy was performed. However, relapse occurred 7 months later and he died 1 year and 3 months after the adrenalectomy. Conclusion. Metastatic adrenal tumors should be excised if the tumor is solitary and the patient's general condition permits it, because there is possibility of long-term survival.
