Open versus endoscopic adrenalectomy in the treatment of localized (stage I/II) adrenocortical carcinoma: results of a multiinstitutional Italian survey.

Background: We compared the oncologic effectiveness of open adrenalectomy and endoscopic adrenalectomy in the treatment of patients with localized adrenocortical carcinoma.

Methods: One hundred fifty-six patients with localized adrenocortical carcinoma (stage I/II) who underwent R0 resection were included in an Italian multiinstitutional surgical survey. They were divided into 2 groups based on the operative approach (either conventional or endoscopic).

Results: One hundred twenty-six patients underwent open adrenalectomy and 30 patients underwent endoscopic adrenalectomy. The 2 groups were well matched for age, sex, lesion size, and stage (P = NS). The mean follow-up time was similar for the 2 groups (P = NS). The local recurrence rate was 19% for open adrenalectomy and 21% for endoscopic adrenalectomy, whereas distant metastases were recorded in 31% of patients in the conventional adrenalectomy group and 17% in the endoscopic adrenalectomy group (P = NS). The mean time to recurrence was 27 ± 27 months in the conventional open adrenalectomy group and 29 ± 33 months in the endoscopic adrenalectomy group (P = NS). No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of 5-year disease-free survival (38.3% vs 58.2%) and 5-year overall survival rates (48% vs 67%; P = NS).

Conclusion: The operative approach does not affect the oncologic outcome of patients with localized adrenocortical carcinoma, if the principles of surgical oncology are respected.