Adrenal tumor with caval extension--case report and review of the literature.

Extension of adrenal cortical carcinomas into the IVC is rare. We describe one such tumor that extended to the level of the right atrium. In an effort to aid recognition and guide work-up of an upper pole lesion, we review the literature comprised of 77 similar cases and analyze the data in terms of patient demographics, anatomic distribution, clinical and laboratory evidence of endocrine function. Our review suggests that over half of all adrenal lesions with IVC extension will be clinically nonfunctional, including up to 17% of pheochromocytomas.