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Indian Journal of Pathology: Research and Practice 15(2):p 151-154, May - Aug 2026. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijprp.2278.148X.15226.7
Case Report
Adrenocortical Carcinoma Presenting as a Retroperitoneal Mass: Diagnostic Challenges on Core Needle Biopsy
Shailaja Kupati, Shilpa Lakkundi
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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Indian Journal of Pathology: Research and Practice 15(2):p 151-154, May - Aug 2026. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijprp.2278.148X.15226.7
How Cite This Article:
Shailaja Kupati, Shilpa Lakkundi. Adrenocortical Carcinoma Presenting as a Retroperitoneal Mass: Diagnostic Challenges on Core Needle Biopsy. Ind Jr of Path: Res and Practice 2026; 15(2) 151-154.Timeline
Received : February 03, 2026
Accepted : March 05, 2026
Published : August 30, 2026
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy arising from the adrenal cortex, often presenting diagnostic challenges, particularly when encountered as a retroperitoneal mass with unclear adrenal origin.4 These tumors have high prediliction for female gender.4 We report a case of ACC presenting as a large retroperitoneal lesion, in which initial core needle biopsy posed significant diagnostic difficulty due to overlapping histomorphologic features with other retroperitoneal malignancies. Definitive diagnosis was achieved following surgical excision and comprehensive histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation. This case highlights the limitations of core biopsy in diagnosing ACC and underscores the importance of clinicoradiologic correlation and immunohistochemistry.
References
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- 2. American Journal of Surgical Pathology. 1984; 8(3): 163–169.
- 3. Fassnacht M., Dekkers O.M., Else T, et al. European Society of Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of adrenocortical carcinoma.
- 4. European Journal of Endocrinology. 2018; 179(4): G1–G46.
- 5. Sbiera S., Schmull S., Assié G., et al. High diagnostic and prognostic value of steroidogenic factor-1 expression in adrenal tumors.
- 6. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2010; 95(10): E161–E171.
- 7. Neupane D., Khadka S., Upadhyaya P., Sah S.P., Dulal S., Shah S.K., Shah U.K. Primary adrenocortical carcinoma: a case report. Med Surg (Lond). 2023; 85(5): 1834–1838.
Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts of interest in this work.
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Cite this article
Shailaja Kupati, Shilpa Lakkundi. Adrenocortical Carcinoma Presenting as a Retroperitoneal Mass: Diagnostic Challenges on Core Needle Biopsy. Ind Jr of Path: Res and Practice 2026; 15(2) 151-154.
Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
| Received | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|
| February 03, 2026 | March 05, 2026 | August 30, 2026 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijprp.2278.148X.15226.7
Keywords
Adrenocortical carcinomaRetroperitoneal massCore needle biopsyHistopathologyImmunohistochemistrySearch for Similar Articles
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Timeline
| Received | February 03, 2026 |
| Accepted | March 05, 2026 |
| Published | August 30, 2026 |
licence
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
