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Case Reports
. 2014 Jan;30(1):216-9.
doi: 10.12669/pjms.301.4341.

A Case of Long-term Survival after Curative Resection for Synchronous Solitary Adrenal Metastasis from Rectal Cancer

Linlin Chen  1 , Da Wang  2 , Weifang Mao  3 , Xuefeng Huang  4 , Chao He  5
Affiliations
Case Reports

A Case of Long-term Survival after Curative Resection for Synchronous Solitary Adrenal Metastasis from Rectal Cancer

Linlin Chen et al. Pak J Med Sci. 2014 Jan.

Abstract

Clinically curable adrenal metastasis is rare. We report a case of synchronous solitary adrenal metastasis from rectal cancer in a 51-year-old man who underwent curative resection. A right adrenal mass was found by ultrasonography during his routine physical examination and this was confirmed by computed tomography (CT). His serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level was found elevated, and colonoscopy revealed a rectal tumor located 10cm from anal verge. A simultaneous laparoscopic right adrenalectomy and anterior resection for rectal carcinoma was performed. Histopathological examination revealed well-differentiated rectal adenocarcinoma with adrenal metastasis. The patient is still alive and free from disease 6 years after the surgery. A review in the literature showed that synchronous solitary adrenal metastasis from colorectal carcinoma is very rare. Surgical resection and for selected patients, laparoscopic procedure may provide survival benefit and potential surgical cure for a solitary metastasis.

Keywords: Adrenalectomy; Long-term survival; Rectal cancer; Solitary adrenal metastasis.

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Figures

Fig.1
Fig.1
Enhanced CT scan demonstrating a right adrenal mass of low density
Fig.2
Fig.2
Microscopic appearance of the adrenal tumor showing a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, similar to the primary rectal carcinoma (H&E ×100).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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