Functioning adrenocortical carcinoma causing virilisation: a case report

ABSTRACT

Adrenocortical carticnoma (ACC) is an uncommon tumor with an incidence of 1-2 cases/million/year. It has two peak incidences; the first one in the first decade and the second one in the fourth decade. Most patients present with features of steroid hormone excess or abdominal mass effects, but about 15% of ACC are diagnosed incidentally. It is hormonally functional in 80 - 100% patients and the predisposing lesions include congenital adrenal hyperplasia and adenoma. ACC has significant syndromic and genetic association. Surgery offers the best chance of cure, especially in localized disease. Here, we present the case of virilization in a young female child secondary to a functioning ACC. The child had classical hormonal and imaging features of functioning ACC and underwent resection of the tumor (Adrenalectomy) with good outcome.