de Baro-Álvarez P, García-García L, Reyes-Posada O, Cortés-Sausa J, Sánchez-Márquez PA

Language: Spanish
References: 12
Page: 38-44
PDF size: 346.96 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Background: The adrenal cortex tumors (ACT) are extremely rare in children and adolescents. Only 0.2% of all the new cases of cancer in the USA and Europe are ACT. The international incidence is not well defined, since it differs demographically. Due to the rarity of ACT, little is known about their natural history.
Case report: 11 months old female patient who developed, at the age of nine months, acne in forehead and thorax, weight gain, facial hair, apocrine activity, appearance of pubic hair, hirsutism, increase of appetite, altered sleep-vigil cycle, increased height with accelerated growth velocity; biochemically alterations in cortisol, with high morning and evening cortisol levels, such as androgens. ACT scan showed an adrenal mass on the right side not dependent of the kidney. A complete resection of the tumor was done. The final pathology report was of adenoma of the adrenal cortex. Currently, the patient is being followed at the Endocrinology Service with dose reduction of steroid.
Conclusion: Because ACTs are extremely rare in children, a small percentage is detected based on clinical manifestations of virilization and Cushing’s syndrome as in our case. For this reason, we should be aware of their existence in order to make the diagnosis and treat them as soon as possible.

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