Metabolic and Endocrine Toxicities of Mitotane: A Systematic Review

Despite the pivotal role of mitotane in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) management, data on the endocrine toxicities of this treatment are lacking. The aim of this systematic review is to collect the available evidence on the side effects of mitotane on the endocrine and metabolic systems in both children and adults affected by adrenal carcinoma. Sixteen articles on 493 patients were included. Among the adrenal insufficiency, which is an expected side effect of mitotane, 24.5% of patients increased glucocorticoid replacement therapy. Mineralocorticoid insufficiency usually occurred late in treatment in 36.8% of patients. Thyroid dysfunction is characterized by a decrease in FT4, which occurs within 3–6 months of treatment in 45.4% of patients, while TSH seems to not be a reliable marker. Dyslipidemia is characterized by an increase in both LDL-c and HDL-c (54.2%). Few studies have found evidence of hypertriglyceridemia. In males, gynecomastia and hypogonadism can occur after 3–6 months of treatment (38.4% and 35.6%, respectively), while in pre-menopausal women, mitotane can cause ovarian cysts and, less frequently, menstrual disorders. Most of these side effects appear to be reversible after mitotane discontinuation. We finally suggest an algorithm that could guide metabolic and endocrine safety assessments in patients treated with mitotane for ACC.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia in men: classical form. Clinical case

Recently, in the foreign scientific literature there have been reports that boys and young men with the classic virile form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia or congenital dysfunction of the adrenal cortex as a result of inadequate glucocorticoid therapy in 21–28 % of cases have testicular adrenal rest tumors, which increases under the influence of excessive production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This benign formation up to 2 cm in diameter and larger is detected by palpation and ultrasound. The formations can press on the testicular tissue and lead to hypogonadism. Such individuals may have low testosterone levels due to decreased Leydig cell function. Testicular adrenal rest tumors usually decrease after treatment optimization. Unreasonable surgery is sometimes performed in suspected cancer. A clinical case is presented of the classic form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, manifested itself in isosexual precocious puberty, cryptorchidism and testicular adrenal rest tumors rare, increased under the influence of excessive ACTH production as a result of inadequate glucocorticoid replacement therapy. Formations detected during ultrasound decrease when treatment is optimized. Observation of the patient in the dynamics showed that ones of the main diagnostic hormonal tests are blood levels of ACTH and 17-hydroxyprogesterone, which at the time of disease detection were excessively high. Continuous glucocorticoid replacement therapy maintains the level of these indicators within the reference values. Timely diagnosis of the nature of the pathology, constant corrective hormone therapy ensured the patient’s abi­lity to adapt to life and society in accordance with his status. Clinical mani­festations of hypocorticism and/or hyperandrogenism in the parents of our patient were not detected, which indicates autosomal recessive inheritance of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In the future, it is important to provide genetic counseling to expectant parents, especially with manifestations of hyperandrogenism, to assess the possible development of such pathology in their offspring.

Epidemiology and Comorbidity of Adrenal Cushing Syndrome: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Context Adrenal Cushing syndrome (CS) is a major subtype of CS and has a high surgical cure rate. However, only a few studies have investigated the epidemiology and long-term outcomes of adrenal CS. Objective We aimed to investigate the nationwide epidemiology, long-term prognosis, and postoperative glucocorticoid replacement therapies of adrenal CS in Korea. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting A nationwide claim database. Patients Adrenal CS patients who were defined as having undergone adrenalectomy, a diagnosis code of CS, and not having pituitary gland surgery. Main Outcome Measures Crude incidence and age-standardized incidence rates, long-term mortality, comorbidities diagnosed preoperatively or developed postoperatively, and the pattern of postoperative glucocorticoid replacement therapy. Results From 2002 to 2017, there were a total of 1199 new adrenal CS patients, including 72 patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (malignant adrenal CS), in Korea. The crude and age-standardized incidence rates were 1.51 and 1.27 per million person-years, respectively. The overall standardized mortality ratio was 3.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4-3.7) for benign adrenal CS and 13.1 (95% CI, 7.6-18.6) for malignant adrenal CS. Adrenal CS patients had a high risk of having coronary artery disease, stroke, metabolic diseases, and depression. A similar proportion of patients were diagnosed with these comorbidities both preoperatively and postoperatively, suggesting a significant residual risk even after adrenalectomy. The median time of postoperative glucocorticoid replacement therapy was 10.1 months, and the major types of glucocorticoids used were prednisolone (66.6%) and hydrocortisone (22.4%). Conclusions Adrenal CS is associated with multiple comorbidities even after treatment, which necessitates meticulous postoperative care.

Would Cortisol Measurements Be a Better Gauge of Hydrocortisone Replacement Therapy? Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia as an Exemplar

There is an increase in mortality and morbidity as well as poor quality of life in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and other causes of adrenal insufficiency. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy should aim to replace the missing cortisol as close as possible to the normal circadian rhythm using hydrocortisone. Dosing should be based on the individual’s absorption and clearance of the drug. Adequacy of dosing should be checked using 24-hour profiles of plasma cortisol with samples drawn preferably every hour or at least every 2 hours. Measurement of cortisol should be the preferred method of assessing replacement therapy as it is over- and undertreatment with hydrocortisone, both of which can occur over a 24-hour period, which leads to the problems observed in patients with CAH and adrenal insufficiency.