Assessing Biological Aggression in Adrenocortical Neoplasia

Isobel C Mouat; Thomas J Giordano

doi:10.1016/j.path.2014.08.003

Assessing Biological Aggression in Adrenocortical Neoplasia

Surg Pathol Clin. 2014 Dec;7(4):533-41. doi: 10.1016/j.path.2014.08.003. Epub 2014 Oct 6.

Authors

Isobel C Mouat¹, Thomas J Giordano²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
² Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: giordano@umich.edu.

PMID: 26837553
DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2014.08.003

Abstract

Pathologists are highly skilled at the evaluation of adrenal neoplasms. Occasional adrenocortical tumors can be diagnostically challenging and supplementary tools can assist in these cases. Histologic and molecular studies support a model that includes 2 broad classes of adrenocortical carcinoma with distinct somatic genetic alterations and clinical outcomes. Pathologists should endeavor to grade adrenocortical carcinomas to assign each case into one of these 2 classes. Mitotic grading by mitotic counting and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry represent the most practicable and informative methods currently available.

Keywords: Adrenocortical adenomas; Adrenocortical carcinomas; Adrenocortical neoplasia; Histologic grading; Molecular grading.

Publication types

Review