Giant non-functioning adrenocortical carcinoma: a case report and literature review

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy, ranking as the second most aggressive endocrine tumor after anaplastic thyroid cancer. ACC typically presents symptoms caused by the tumor mass and less often with signs of excess hormones. Due to its rarity, the diagnosis and management of ACC pose significant challenges, with limited clinical guidelines, a lack of large-scale randomized studies, and a paucity of treatment experience. This report highlights the case of a 51-year-old male patient who presented with a giant intra-abdominal mass, which raised suspicion for ACC. He initially reported a history of abdominal discomfort associated with a large palpable abdominal mass. However, by the time of his presentation to our department, he was asymptomatic. After thorough imaging, a large tumor was resected, and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of ACC. The tumor, measuring 31 cm in diameter and weighing 4.7 kg, is one of the largest reported cases of ACC. This case is significant as it underscores the critical role of early detection and surgical intervention in potentially improving patient outcomes. Additionally, it highlights the need for continued research to better understand the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches to this rare and aggressive malignancy, which remains a considerable clinical challenge.