Long-Standing Primary Aldosteronism in a Patient Diagnosed With Metastatic Adrenocortical Carcinoma





Most cases of primary aldosteronism (PA) are the results of either an aldosterone-producing adenoma or bilateral hyperplasia. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a very rare cause of PA, accounting for <1% of all cases.


Case Report


A 49-year-old man was referred to our clinic for management of metastatic ACC. As highlighted in the text that follows, he had a remarkable history leading to current evaluation.


26 YEARS BEFORE CURRENT EVALUATION


He developed hypertension and had an evaluation for secondary causes of hypertension at our institution. At the time of initial evaluation, his blood pressure was 156/108 mmHg. His medications included metoprolol, hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine, and Accupril. In addition, because of hypokalemia, he was taking 20 mEq of potassium chloride daily. Workup for PA was performed with a positive case detection and confirmatory testing ( Table 30.1 ). He was advised to proceed with abdominal imaging and consider adrenal venous sampling if interested in a potential surgical cure. At that time, he declined and elected therapy with spironolactone. He continued his care locally. Imaging was not performed.



TABLE 30.1

Laboratory Tests



















































































Age 23 Age 49
Biochemical Test Result Result Reference Range
Cortisol, mcg/dL 19 7–21
ACTH, pg/mL 37 7.2–63
DHEA-S, mcg/dL 29 32–395
Pregnenolone, ng/dL 304 33–248
17-Hydroxypregnenolone, ng/dL 33 55–455
17-Hydroxyprogesterone, ng/dL 47 <220
11-Deoxycortisol, ng/dL 109 10–79
11-Deoxycorticosterone, ng/dL 447 <10
Total testosterone, ng/dL 388 240–950
Aldosterone, ng/dL 11 87 <21
Plasma renin activity, ng/mL per hour <0.6 <0.6 ≤0.6–3
24-Hour urine cortisol, mcg/24 h 62 <45
24-Hour urine aldosterone, mcg/24 h 19 264 <10
24-Hour urine sodium, mmol/24 h 267 375 41–227

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Aug 8, 2022 | Posted by in ENDOCRINOLOGY | Comments Off on Long-Standing Primary Aldosteronism in a Patient Diagnosed With Metastatic Adrenocortical Carcinoma

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