CASE REPORT
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Yttrium-90 radioembolization of isolated hepatic adrenocortical carcinoma metastases with negative surgical pathology
Sen Lu1*1D, Jasreman Dhillon2, Julie Hallanger Johnson3 and Ghassan El-Haddad4
Abstract
Background: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an uncommon malignancy with an estimated 15,400 new cases annually across the globe. The prognosis is generally poor as the disease is often already advanced at initial diag- nosis due to non-specific symptoms. Even for local disease, recurrence after surgical resection is high. Treatment choices for advanced disease include mitotane, chemotherapy, ablation, chemoembolization, radioembolization, and external beam radiotherapy, with varying degrees of efficacy. To the best of our knowledge, there have only been two prior case studies of complete clinical and radiological response of stage 4 disease at 1 year and 2 years after yttrium-90 (90Y) microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) of isolated hepatic metastases post-surgery and chemotherapy.
Case presentation: We present a case of a 58-year-old man with metastatic ACC who was treated with 90Y resin microsphere (SIR-spheres) for local control of liver metastases leading to a surgically proven negative pathology after partial hepatectomy 7 months after SIRT. The patient was initially diagnosed with stage 1 ACC that progressed 6 years later to stage 4 disease with new liver metastases that were deemed unresectable at an outside institution. After review of the case at multidisciplinary tumor board, he was referred for liver directed therapy for local tumor control. Angiographic workup demonstrated partial extrahepatic supply to the tumors from the right inferior phrenic artery, which was successfully embolized on the day of SIRT for flow redistribution. As the patient was being treated with mitotane that suppresses steroid production, he developed post-SIRT adrenal crisis, which was successfully controlled with steroids, highlighting the need for pre SIRT stress dose steroids.
Conclusions: This case continues to add to the literature supporting 90Y radioembolization as an effective treatment for isolated hepatic ACC metastases. Our case is the first to demonstrate surgically proven negative pathology after radioembolization. Further prospective study is warranted to better establish efficacy as well as safety of SIRT for ACC liver metastases.
Keywords: Adrenocortical carcinoma, Yttrium-90, Radioembolization, Flow redistribution, Surgical pathology, Adrenal crisis
*Correspondence: lus@usf.edu
1 Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of South Florida, 2 Tampa General Circle, STC 7028, Tampa, FL 33606, USA Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
Background
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) affects an estimated 0.5 - 2 new cases per million people annually, with a median survival of less than one year for stage 4 disease [1-3]. Overall, the median 5-year survival is 16-44% [4]. The prognosis is considerably better for stage 1 with a 5-year survival of 60%, compared to 0% for stage 4 [1, 2]. How- ever, 70% of patients are initially diagnosed with stage 3
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or 4 due to non-specific presentations, most commonly of excess hormone secretion (especially hypercortisolism or Cushing syndrome) or symptoms secondary to mass effect (e.g., abdominal or back pain, nausea, or vomit- ing) [1, 3]. Treatment of local disease involves surgical resection, but this is infrequently curative, with an 80% recurrence rate even after complete resection [1, 2]. Radi- ofrequency ablation has demonstrated some success for primary unresectable ACC <5 cm [1, 5, 6]. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been reported with favorable outcomes for isolated hepatic metastatic lesions < 3 cm [1, 7]. To date, there has only been two case reports demonstrating efficacy of 9ºY radioembolization for hepatic ACC metastases by follow-up imaging [2, 4]. Three additional cases of ºY SIRT from a single institu- tion demonstrated prolonged overall survival in patients with hepatic ACC metastases when analyzed in combi- nation with 2 cases of liver-directed therapy treated with TACE [8]. We present a case of successful treatment of isolated hepatic adrenocortical carcinoma metastases, with the benefit of definitive negative surgical pathology after 9ºY radioembolization.
Case presentation
A 58-year-old male with no significant past medical history presented to an outside institution with vague fatigue and left upper quadrant pain. A CT scan revealed a 15 x9 x 9 cm left retroperitoneal mass as well as a 3 cm gastric tumor (Fig. 1). Biopsy of the retroperitoneal mass was consistent with adrenocortical carcinoma. He under- went a left adrenalectomy and partial gastrectomy with pathology confirming ACC and a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach. He then began mitotane,
an adrenolytic, for 2.5 years and adjuvant radiation to the adrenal bed.
His surveillance was performed at outside institutions, and his scans remained negative for the following 4 years. A follow-up surveillance CT scan done 6 years after diag- nosis revealed a 9.5 × 8.7 cm right hepatic mass. This was followed with an MRI at that time that confirmed the presence of suspicious liver metastases (Fig. 2). Right hepatectomy was attempted at an outside institu- tion but aborted due to the suspected presence of “mil- iary disease” based on the surgeon’s visualization of small plaque-like lesions on the liver surface. Therefore, only a segment 5 hepatic nodule was resected for permanent section and genetic sequencing and a cholecystectomy was performed. Review of the patient’s available images from that time showed no left hepatic lobe lesions visible on imaging. Per the outside surgery report, the patient did receive an [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in addition to the MRI prior to surgery, which showed no extrahepatic disease (images not available).
After discussion of the case at our multidisciplinary tumor board, the decision was made for systemic ther- apy as well as liver directed therapy. The patient started an EDP chemotherapy schedule (etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin). He then underwent visceral angiogram workup which demonstrated collateral supply to a por- tion of the right hepatic lobe tumors by right inferior phrenic artery branch (Fig. 3). A hepatopulmonary shunt of 3% was observed on planar scintigraphy and single- photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) (Fig. 4) after administration of 214.6 MBq [99mTc]technetium- macroaggregated albumin ([99mTc]Tc-MAA, Drax Image MAA kit; 99.7% purity) into the right hepatic artery.
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Fig. 3 Angiographic workup for radioembolization. Hepatic arteriography demonstrated multiple hypervascular tumors supplied predominantly from right hepatic artery branches (a) and to a lesser extent by a branch of the right inferior phrenic artery (b). Post-surgical clips from prior attempted resection are seen in the inferior right hepatic lobe, which correlated to segment 5 on cross-sectional imaging
The hepatic volumes were manually calculated using the native basic segmentation tool from General Elec- tric’s Picture Archiving and Communication Systems:
total 2084 cm3, volume of liver to be treated 1537 cm3, and volume of tumor in the region 654 cm3. As there is paucity of data on what is the most appropriate dose to
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deliver to these tumors, a modified BSA model calculated the required activity at 1.8 GBq using an estimated lung mass of 1 kg. However, since these tumors can be radi- oresistant, we decided to increase the activity to 2 GBq. This would have given an estimated dose of 105 Gy to the tumor by partition model using a T/N ratio of 4, 26 Gy to the normal liver, and 3 Gy to the lungs.
On the procedure day, the patient first underwent bland embolization of the inferior branch of the right inferior phrenic artery using 900 um Embosphere micro- spheres (Merit, Utah, USA) to cause redistribution of flow into the tumors along the surface of the right hepatic lobe from the right hepatic artery (Fig. 5). Sub- sequent 90Y SIR-sphere (Sirtex Medical Inc., Massachu- setts, USA) resin embolization of the right hepatic artery was performed (Fig. 6) with a total administered activity to the perfused volume of 2.11 GBq. The patient devel- oped post-procedure adrenal crisis in the recovery room manifested by abdominal pain and diaphoresis, and was treated with 20 mg of dexamethasone followed by 60 mg intravenous hydrocortisone every 6 h. After admission
and steroid therapy, he was then discharged in stable condition on post-procedure day 3.
The patient’s 1-month follow-up MRI showed decrease in the size of the multiple right hepatic metastatic lesions including the small lesions on the liver surface with no new sites of disease. Specifically, no lesions were seen in the left hepatic lobe. 3-month post-radioembolization [18F]FDG PET/CT showed no residual or recurrent dis- ease (Fig. 7). Four- and 5-month post-radioembolization MRI showed continued decrease in size and enhance- ment of the right hepatic lesions (Fig. 8). Despite the reas- suring imaging findings, the patient requested surgical resection of the right hepatic lesions as the data is sparse on the effect of SIRT on ACC hepatic metastases. In con- junction with the multidisciplinary tumor board, surgery was deemed reasonable as the disease was limited to the right hepatic lobe and no miliary disease was seen on imaging. Hence, 7 months after radioembolization, he had partial right hepatectomy at an outside institution with pathology demonstrating no viable tumor includ- ing in the resection margin. One-month post-resection
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Fig. 5 Right inferior phrenic artery. a The inferior branch of the right inferior phrenic artery was superselected, demonstrating tumor blush in the inferior right hepatic lobe. b Post-bland embolization of the inferior branch of the right inferior phrenic artery demonstrated stasis with persistent flow to the remaining branches of the right inferior phrenic artery. c, d Intraprocedural selective 3D contrast-enhanced CT angiogram of the inferior branch of the right inferior phrenic artery demonstrated enhancement of hepatic lesions along the posterior periphery of the right hepatic lobe
MRI showed no residual hepatic lesions (Fig. 9). The patient was in observation and surveillance with regular lab work for adrenal insufficiency, including renin, dehy- droepiandrosterone sulfate, and adrenocorticotropic hormone. He declined adjuvant mitotane due to quality- of-life concerns and previous side effects. An incidental periportal lymph node measuring 1-cm short axis was found on CT chest 8 months post-resection (15 months post-radioembolization), which was subsequently found to be metastatic ACC on surgical pathology. Although he developed metastatic periportal lymphadenopathy, the patient is currently 16 months post-surgical resection and 23 months post-radioembolization with no hepatic recurrence.
Conclusions
The goal of local treatment for ACC is curative, but this is only achieved 20% of the time. Local control with radi- ofrequency ablation for unresectable tumors or poor surgical candidates has been demonstrated, although
progression of metastatic disease is high with 11 out of 13 patients demonstrating recurrence in one study [5]. Options for systemic treatment of advanced ACC have been with an EDP-M schedule (etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin plus mitotane) or a M-S schedule (mitotane plus streptozosin) [9]. These regimens have comparable overall survival (14.8 vs 12 months), but EDP-M has been favored due to improved response rates and progression- free survival (5 vs 2.1 months) [2, 10]. Non-invasive radi- ation therapy has demonstrated no survival benefit and no reduction in the risk of metastasis [11]. Locoregional radiation therapy and surgical debulking or resection of recurrence has traditionally been palliative in nature. TACE has been reported with favorable outcomes for isolated hepatic metastatic lesions<3 cm or>50% lipi- odol uptake, with progression in only 5 out of 29 patients (17%) [1,7].
To the best of our knowledge, ours is the 6th known case for hepatic ACC metastases successfully treated with 90Y radioembolization in combination with
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Fig. 6 Pre-SIRT redistribution of flow. a Right hepatic artery arteriogram demonstrates the embolized inferior branch of the right phrenic artery, compatible with embolic material (arrows). b, c Intraprocedural selective 3D arterial-phase contrast-enhanced CT of the right hepatic artery demonstrates enhancement of the right hepatic lesions with perfusion of the tumors from the right hepatic artery instead of the right inferior phrenic artery branch that was bland embolized
chemotherapy, and the 3rd case report of complete clini- cal and radiological response of isolated hepatic metasta- ses after chemotherapy and surgical resection/debulking of the primary lesion. Ours is, however, the 1st case that demonstrates post-radioembolization pathologic cor- relation showing no residual viable carcinoma upon resection at 7 months post-radioembolization. Our case
also demonstrated that bland embolization of the right inferior phrenic artery that was feeding a portion of the metastatic tumor was an effective strategy for flow redis- tribution just prior to radioembolization of the right hepatic artery. The metastatic disease burden in our case was limited to the right hepatic lobe, and only one radi- oembolization procedure was necessary. Two prior cases
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demonstrated 12-month and 24-month radiologic and clinical response, respectively, and had bilobar disease thus requiring two separate 0Y radioembolizations [2, 4].
Compared to TACE, which requires patients to be admitted, 90Y radioembolization can be performed on an outpatient basis and is more cost-effective. Our case also provides a reminder that close attention should be paid to the clinical status of the patient in the intraprocedural or immediate post-procedure period for signs of adrenal crisis (hypotension, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, fatigue, lethargy, fever, confusion, or coma). Management of adrenal crisis includes volume repletion with normal saline (with or without 5% dextrose) and pre-emptive perioperative IV hydrocortisone. Due to the
acuity and severity of the condition, treatment should not be delayed by diagnostic tests.
This case continues to add to the literature supporting 90Y radioembolization as an effective treatment for iso- lated hepatic ACC metastases. Our case demonstrates complete surgical pathology-proven response 7 months post-radioembolization. In addition, we utilized bland embolization to successfully redistribute flow from a feeding right inferior phrenic artery to the right hepatic artery for effective radioembolization. Our patient unfortunately developed metastatic lymphadenopathy in periportal lymph nodes first detected at 15 months post-radioembolization, but remains disease free in the liver. Further prospective study is warranted to better
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Fig. 8 Continued post-radioembolization response. a, b Portal venous phase post-Eovist T1-weighted fat-suppressed MRI taken at 4 months and c, d 5 months post-radioembolization shows continued decrease in size of inferior right hepatic lesions
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establish efficacy, as well as safety of SIRT for ACC liver metastases.
Abbreviations
[18F]FDG: [18F]Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose; [99m[c]Tc-MAA:[99MTc]technetium- macroaggregated albumin; 90Y: Yttrium-90; ACC: Adrenocortical carcinoma; cm: Centimeter; EDP: Etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin; GBq: Gigabec- querel; GIST: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor; MBq: Megabecquerel; mg:
Milligram; PET/CT: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography; PLT: Platelet; SIRT: Selective internal radiation therapy; SPECT: Single- photon emission computed tomography; TACE: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.
Acknowledgements
We thank the Columbia University Department of Pathology for providing pathology slides.
Authors’ information
SL is a PGY-4 diagnostic and interventional radiology resident at the University of South Florida. JD is an attending pathologist at Moffitt Cancer Center. JHJ is an attending endocrinologist at Moffitt Cancer Center. GE is an attending interventional radiologist at Moffitt Cancer Center.
Authors’ contributions
SL was a major contributor in writing the manuscript. JD performed the histological examination of the pathology specimens, and was an editor of the manuscript. JHJ was the primary provider for the patient when his care transferred to Moffitt Cancer Center, and was an editor for the manuscript. GE performed the procedures in the case and followed the patient in clinic, and was the main editor of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Funding
No special funding was provided for this paper.
Availability of data and materials
Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Need for ethics approval was waived given the nature of the retrospective study involving a single anonymized case. Consent was obtained to obtain patient’s outside records by the patient.
Consent for publication
Consent to publish was obtained from the patient.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Author details
1 Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of South Florida, 2 Tampa General Circle, STC 7028, Tampa, FL 33606, USA. 2 Department of Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. 3 Department of Endocrinology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. 4 Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Received: 1 October 2020 Accepted: 1 February 2021 Published online: 18 February 2021
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