Reassessing the impact of tumor size on operative approach in adrenocortical carcinoma.

Background: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is often a contraindication to minimally invasive adrenalectomy (MIA). We used an administrative data set to analyze postoperative outcomes. We hypothesized that small tumors would have better short- and long-term outcomes, independent of the operative approach.
Methods: The National Cancer Database (2010-2016) identified patients with ACC who underwent adrenalectomy. Tumors were grouped: <5 cm (n = 125), 5-10 cm (n = 431), and >10 cm (n = 443). The primary and secondary outcomes were margin positivity and overall survival, respectively.
Results: Nine hundred and ninety-nine patients were analyzed: 37% MIA and 63% open adrenalectomy (OA). As the size increased, the rate of attempted MIA decreased. Larger tumors were associated with conversion to open. Although tumors with local invasion and those which required conversion to open were associated with an increased likelihood of a positive margin, tumor size was not. Although "complete" MIA (vs. OA) and tumor size were not associated with differences in survival, conversion (HR = 1.83, p = .02), positive margins (HR = 1.54, p = .01), and local invasion (HR = 1.84, p < .001) were associated with poor survival.
Conclusion: Positive margins are associated with poor survival in ACC. Tumors ≥ 5 cm were associated with an increased conversion rate and subsequent increase in margin positivity. MIA may be considered for select patients with small tumors but adequate oncologic resection is critical.
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