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Spontaneously Regressing Adrenocortical Carcinoma In A Newborn; A Case Report With Dna Ploidy Analysis

Saracco et al., 1988Adrenal tumor

Cancer 62(3): Aug 1 1988; 507-511. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(19880801)62:3<507::aid-cncr2820620311>3.0.co;2-8

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Abstract

Two women evaluated for amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and hyperprolactinemia had radiographic changes of the sella turcica (localized erosion on trispiral tomography) suggestive of a pituitary tumor. Both patients experienced spontaneous regression of apparent prolactin-secreting adenomas with a marked decrease in the quantity of galactorrhea and a reduction of serum prolactin concentrations to the normal range. One patient noted a marked improvement of headaches and spontaneous menses resumed in the other patient.

Case Details

Personal Characteristics

Newborn

Clinical Characteristics

Metastatic adrenal cortical carcinoma (skin metastases and cerebral lesions), hemihypertrophy developed by 2 months of age

Remission Characteristics

Spontaneous regression of all skin nodules and central nervous system (cns) lesions at 4 months of age

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

DNA ploidy analysis that showed the tumor to be polyploid, a pattern recently associated with nonmetastasizing adrenal cortical neoplasm

Clinical Treatment

Surgical resection of the right adrenal primary

Additional Notes

Follow-up at 1 year shows the patient to be alive, well, and disease-free. The observation of apparent metastatic disease that regressed spontaneously highlights the prognostic value of DNA ploidy analysis and raises the possibility of an adrenal tumor with properties similar to those of Stage IV-S neuroblastoma.