Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adrenal tumors of more than 6 cm diameter, also called macrotumors, cause diagnostic and therapeutic problems. AIM: To perform an analysis of adrenal macrotumors diagnosed by CAT scan between 1984 and 1995. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty three patients aged 9 to 86 years old, 15 female, with an adrenal macrotumor diagnosed by CAT scan, were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty percent of tumors were functioning (70% secreted cathecolamines and 30% cortisol). Eighty two percent had an adrenal localization and 18% were para-adrenal. Thirty four percent were malignant. These tumors were mostly non functioning, 70% occurred in men and 67% were metastatic. CONCLUSIONS: Most adrenal macrotumors in this series were non functioning and 36% were malignant.