Adrenocortical carcinoma
Prepared with OnCo (onco.cc/prep/adrenocortical/). Orientation, not medical advice; your team knows your case.
My details
What I know, what is unclear, changes to discuss
Saved in this browserMy questions
17 on the sheet- 1.What is my exact diagnosis, stage, and grade, and which tests established them?
- 2.Which biomarkers have been tested on my tumour (for example Weiss score ≥3, Ki-67 index, ENSAT stage and R status, Hormone work-up, Germline TP53, Lynch syndrome testing, Urinary steroid metabolomics), and what were the results?
- 3.Which subtype is my cancer, and does that change the recommended treatment?
- 4.Is germline (inherited) genetic testing recommended for me or my family?
- 5.For my situation (localised (ensat i-iii)), which of the standard options do you recommend and why?
- 6.Am I a candidate for Mitotane, and what side effects should I expect?
- 7.For my situation (advanced, aggressive), which of the standard options do you recommend and why?
- 8.Am I a candidate for Etoposide, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin or related drugs, and what side effects should I expect?
- 9.For my situation (advanced, indolent), which of the standard options do you recommend and why?
- 10.Am I a candidate for Mitotane, and what side effects should I expect?
- 11.For my situation (progressive after chemotherapy), which of the standard options do you recommend and why?
- 12.Am I a candidate for Pembrolizumab, Cabozantinib, and what side effects should I expect?
- 13.Are there clinical trials I could join, for example of Cabozantinib, Pembrolizumab, Mitotane?
- 14.Would a second opinion at a high-volume centre change anything, and can you help arrange it?
- 15.What supportive care (symptom control, nutrition, exercise, mental health, financial help) is available from the start?
- 16.I read that “No targeted therapy despite defined genomic subgroups”. How does that affect my plan?
- 17.I read that “Mitotane toxicity and narrow therapeutic window”. How does that affect my plan?
The words I may hear
- Germline vs somatic mutations: Germline mutations are inherited and in every cell; somatic mutations arise in the tumour only.
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome (germline TP53): Li-Fraumeni syndrome is an inherited fault in the TP53 gene giving a lifetime cancer risk near 100% in women and ~75% in men, with sarcomas, breast cancer, brain tumours, adrenal cancer and leukaemias often in childhood.
- Hereditary cancer syndromes: About 5-10% of cancers arise from an inherited gene fault.
- Rare cancers: Rare cancers are those with fewer than about 6 new cases per 100,000 people per year.
Tests and results to bring
Biomarker results to ask for: Weiss score ≥3, Ki-67 index (>10% and >20% thresholds), ENSAT stage and R status, Hormone work-up (cortisol, DHEAS, androgens, aldosterone, precursors), Germline TP53 (all children), Lynch syndrome testing, Urinary steroid metabolomics (diagnosis, emerging), MSI/TMB (rare; immunotherapy).
Scans and tests linked to this cancer: Germline (hereditary) testing, Dual-energy and spectral CT.
Bring copies of scan reports, pathology and blood results, and a list of every medicine and supplement.
The treatments I may be offered
- Localised (ENSAT I-III): Open en bloc adrenalectomy by an experienced surgeon with locoregional lymphadenectomy; adjuvant mitotane for high-risk (Ki-67 >10%, stage III, R1) for 2-5 years; adjuvant radiotherapy for R1. (Mitotane, IMRT / IGRT (modern external beam))
- Advanced, aggressive: EDP-M (etoposide, doxorubicin, cisplatin + mitotane) ×6-8 with surgery for responders; streptozocin-mitotane second line. (Etoposide, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin, Mitotane)
- Advanced, indolent: Mitotane monotherapy (target level 14-20 mg/L) with glucocorticoid replacement; local therapies (ablation, radiotherapy) for oligometastases. (Mitotane, Thermal ablation (RFA, microwave, cryo), SBRT / SABR (stereotactic radiotherapy))
- Progressive after chemotherapy: Pembrolizumab, cabozantinib, gemcitabine-capecitabine; control hormone excess; clinical trials. (Pembrolizumab, Cabozantinib)
From the standard of care recorded for this cancer; which apply depends on your stage and biomarkers. Ask which the team recommends and why.