Adrenocortical tumor in a patient with familial adenomatous polyposis: a case associated with a complete inactivating mutation of the APC gene and unusual histological features

Hum Pathol. 1998 Mar;29(3):302-6. doi: 10.1016/s0046-8177(98)90052-1.

Abstract

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder caused by a germline inactivating mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. Patients with FAP sometimes develop various extracolonic manifestations including adrenocortical neoplasms. We present a 14-year-old boy with FAP who had an adrenocortical tumor with atypical histopathologic features, ie, sex-cord-like differentiation. Immunohistochemical studies of adrenal 4 binding protein (Ad4BP) and steroidogenic enzymes showed the capacity of these tumor cells to produce steroids. Genetic analysis of the tumor disclosed a two-hit mutation in APC: a germline 5-base pair deletion accompanied by a loss of the normal allele. Because there were no reports of genetic alterations in adrenocortical tumors developed in FAP patients, we examined 10 sporadic adrenal tumors (four carcinomas and six adenomas) for mutations in APC. However, no mutations were found in these 10 sporadic adrenal tumors. These results suggest that mutation of APC is also responsible for some fraction of the adrenocortical tumors: the tumor in this case is included.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / genetics
  • Adenoma / metabolism
  • Adenoma / pathology*
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / genetics
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / metabolism
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / pathology*
  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / genetics
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Adult
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • DNA Primers / chemistry
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion
  • Genes, APC / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pedigree
  • Point Mutation*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System