2016 Volume 30 Issue 6 Pages 737-741
Adrenocortical carcinomas are relatively difficult to definitively diagnose histopathologically. We report a case of a metastatic lung tumor of adrenocortical carcinoma that was difficult to differentiate from primary lung cancer. A 65-year-old man complained of chest and back pain. A 37-mm mass in the right lower lobe and 58-mm mass in the right adrenal grand were pointed out. Pro-gastrin-releasing peptide was slightly elevated. Bronchoscopy and CT-guided lung biopsy could not provide a definitive diagnosis. Although he was diagnosed with suspected stage IV lung cancer and we performed a right lower lobectomy for the purpose of a definitive diagnosis and the choice of an anti-cancer drug, a definitive diagnosis was still not possible. He underwent a right adrenalectomy, and the adrenal tumor was diagnosed as adrenocortical carcinoma and the lung tumor was a metastasis. Soon afterward, multiple metastases were revealed, so he received chemotherapy, but died 9 months after his first admission.
