Adrenocortical carcinoma (gross)
This 14 x 7 cm mass arising from the adrenal cortex represents an adrenocortical carcinoma. The somewhat irregular external surface in the left photo shows a yellow-tan color. The cut surface in the right photo is hemorrhagic, of a yellow-pink-tan color, and shows minor cystic change. These are rare neoplasms which can be quite large and efface the adrenal gland, as in this case. Microscopically, the cells in adrenocortical carcinoma vary from well-differentiated cells difficult to distinguish from normal calls or cells of an adenoma to bizarre, obviously malignant cells. In the latter case, a metastatic lesion must be excluded.
Contributed by Dr. Ron DeLellis
1 minute clinical correlation