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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2011; 119(4): 208-213
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1271629
Article

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Primary Adrenal Lymphoma: 3 Case Reports with Different Outcomes

A. Spyroglou1 , H. J. Schneider1 , T. Mussack2 , M. Reincke1 , K. von Werder3 , F. Beuschlein1
  • 1Department of Medicine, Endocrine Research, University Hospital Innenstadt, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
  • 2Department of Surgery, University Hospital Innenstadt, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
  • 3Endokrinologikum Munich, Promenadeplatz 12, Munich, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 04.10.2010 first decision 22.12.2010

accepted 03.01.2011

Publication Date:
03 March 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Primary adrenal lymphoma (PAL) is an extremely rare entity, with approximately 70 cases reported in the English literature and 120 cases worldwide. Here we report the cases of a 53-year-old and a 62-year-old male patient and a 60-year-old female patient affected by large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the adrenal gland. We summarize the diagnostic approaches that confirmed the diagnosis of PAL and describe individual treatment outcomes after therapy. Based on these case reports and a review of the literature patients are usually in the 6th or 7th decade of life and present with B-symptoms or rapidly progressive adrenal insufficiency in case of bilateral involvement. The identification of bilateral adrenal masses often causes a severe diagnostic problem. An etiological approach with assessment of the hormonal profile and detailed diagnostic imaging should be aimed at. Furthermore, if PAL is suspected biopsy of the adrenal mass should be performed after biochemical exclusion of a pheochromocytoma. Once the diagnosis is established further treatment decisions should be made in a multi-disciplinary setting in specialized centers.

Key words

primary adrenal lymphoma - non-Hodgkin - adrenal insufficiency - case report

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Correspondence

F. BeuschleinMD 

Department of Medicine,

Endocrine Research

University Hospital Innenstadt

Ziemssenstraße 1

D–80336 Munich

Germany

Phone: + 49/89/5160 2110/2116

Fax: + 49/89/5160 4467

Email: felix.beuschlein@med.uni-muenchen.de

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