Retroperitoneal bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy for metastasis of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

ABSTRACT

We report a rare case of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder metastasizing to bilateral adrenal glands without other metastasis. A 73-year-old male underwent radical cystoprostatectomy due to bladder cancer in 2006. Two years later, a CT scan showed a bilateral solitary adrenal tumor. Bilateral retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy revealed metastatic transitional cell carcinoma. The patient has been doing well without evidence of recurrence, being supported by adrenocortical steroids. Although laparoscopic resection for malignant adrenal tumors is still controversial, we consider that retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy may be an optional treatment for metastatic adrenal tumors, provided no other sites of metastasis exist.