A Rare Case of Stage IV Adrenocortical Carcinoma with Acute Adrenocortical Dysfunction After Trans-Catheter Arterial Chemo-Embolization (TACE)
Abstract Background: Adrenocortical carcinoma(ACC) is a rare and highly invasive endocrine malignant tumor with poor prognosis and insensitivity tochemotherapy, which don't have effective treatment. Although Surgical resection is considered to be the main treatment for ACC, postoperative recurrence and metastasis have become the most important factors of death. Therefore, local treatments such as trans-catheter arterial chemo-embolization, radiofrequency ablation become be new treatment for ACC. Trans-catheter arterial chemo-embolization therapy for ACC patients with liver metastasis has good efficacy and can effectively reduce the tumor burden of patients, which is considered to be safe and easy for patients. Case presentation: We report a 47-year-old female patient diagnosed with stage Ⅳ ACC with liver metastases, who developed symptoms of acute adrenocortical dysfunctions after hepatic arterial catheter chemo-embolization.Conclusion: Trans-catheter arterial chemo-embolization therapy for ACC patients with liver metastasis is not completely safe, and there is a certain probability that it will lead to secondary adrenal dysfunction. Hydrocortisone supplementation can effectively alleviate the symptoms.