Adrenocortical carcinoma and sudden death
Date
2007
Authors
Marshall, D.
Gilbert, J.
Byard, R.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology, 2007; 3(1):53-56
Statement of Responsibility
Drew T. Marshall, John D. Gilbert and Roger W. Byard
Conference Name
Abstract
A 26-year-old man who presented with a 2-year history of intermittent gynecomastia with recent onset of fever, night sweats, and abdominal distension was found to have a left-sided adrenocortical carcinoma with metastases to the liver and spine. Sudden death occurred 1 month after his presentation. At autopsy a saddle pulmonary thromboembolus was found occluding the pulmonary outflow tract, with smaller more peripheral pulmonary thromboemboli. No tumor deposits were identified in the thromboemboli. The thromboemboli had arisen from a tongue of tumor that had grown through the left adrenal vein into the inferior vena cava. Despite a high rate of angio-invasion there are very few reports of sudden death resulting from this phenomenon in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma.