The management of post-operative disease recurrence in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma: a retrospective study in 106 patients

Objective The management of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) recurrences remains controversial, and we present herein our experience with postoperative ACC recurrences. Design and methods Retrospective analysis in a single reference center of 106 patients with ACC recurrence. Results The median follow-up was 45 months, the median recurrence-free survival (RFS) 12 months (IQR 6-23), and the median overall survival (OS) 45 months (IQR 29-75). ACC recurrences occurred as a unique lesion (group A) in 35.8%, multiple lesions in a single organ (group B) in 20.8%, and affecting multiple organs (group C) in 43.4% of patients. Baseline characteristics of patients stratified by the type of recurrence did not differ between them, except RFS, which was significantly longer in group A. Locoregional treatments were used in 100% of patients of group A, 68.2% in group B, and 26.1% in group C. After treatment of recurrence, 60.4% of patients became free of disease attaining a second RFS of 15 months (IQR 6-64). Margin status RX and R1, percent increase in Ki67, and recurrence in multiple organs were associated with an increased risk of mortality, while adjuvant mitotane treatment and longer time to first recurrence were associated with reduced risk. Recurrence in multiple organs and systemic treatment of recurrence had a negative impact on survival from the treatment of recurrence. Conclusions This study shows that patients with ACC have a better prognosis when the disease recurs as a single lesion and supports the use of locoregional treatments to treat disease recurrence.