source: Diseases of the colon and rectum

year: 2006

authors: Angel Ferrández, Lana Pho, Cindy Solomon, Wade S. Samowitz, Thomas P. Knecht, Maryellyn Gilfeather, Scott K. Kuwada, Randal W. Burt

Adrenal masses are commonly discovered incidentally in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, and adrenal malignancies have been rarely reported. Individuals with familial adenomatous polyposis frequently undergo abdominal CT-scan examinations for surveillance or symptoms. Adrenal lesions often are detected unexpectedly and are thus becoming a common clinical problem in this population. Adrenal lesions encompass a heterogeneous spectrum of pathologic entities, including primary adrenocortical and medullary tumors, benign or malignant lesions, hormonally active or inactive lesions, metastases, and infections. When an adrenal mass is detected, the clinician needs to address two crucial questions: 1) is the mass malignant? and 2) is it hormonally active? This article presents three new cases of incidental adrenal lesions in familial adenomatous polyposis, reviews the medical literature for this setting, and provides an overview of the diagnostic clinical approach and management of the adrenal findings in familial adenomatous polyposis patients.