[Combined therapy of advanced adrenal cortical adenocarcinoma].

Objective: To analyze the clinical efficacy of combined therapy in the treatment of advanced adrenal cortical adenocarcinoma.

Methods: The clinical data of 12 cases with advanced adrenal cortical adenocarcinoma at our hospital from 1986 - 2006 were analyzed. And the relevant literatures were reviewed.

Results: Eleven patients underwent operation to remove primary lesions. Only 1 case received a biopsy. All cases were treated with chemotherapy or chemotherapy pulse post-operative radiotherapy. Pathological diagnosis was all of adrenal cortical adenocarcinoma. According to the staging criteria of Jacques and Brennan, all 12 cases were of IV stage. The follow-up duration was 6 - 40 months. According to evaluation criterion of chemotherapeutic effect by WHO in 1987, the results were: CR (complete remission) (n = 0), PR (partial remission) (n = 7), SD (stable disease) (n = 3) and PD (progressive disease) (n = 2). The effective rate was 58.3% (7/12). The median survival time was 14 months and median progression-free survival time 9 months.

Conclusion: Combined therapy of adrenal cortical adenocarcinoma is effective to prolong the patient lifespan. Radiotherapy offers partial symptomatic relief for those with osseous metastasis. Making an early diagnosis and offering a novel therapy yield a better outcome.