[Adrenocortical carcinoma. A retrospective analysis of five cases].

We present five cases of adrenal cortical carcinoma, diagnosed in our hospital and we describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods and treatment. It is a rare tumor, highly aggressive and prognosis is poor. The clinical presentation is characterized by a mass effect, symptoms caused by the invasion of the structures nearby or by a variety of hormonal changes, especially hypercortisolism and virilization. The diagnosis is based on the biochemical characterization of the hormonal profile and on imaging techniques, especially computed tomography and magnetic resonance. The treatment is generally surgical and the most effective chemotherapeutic agents are the adrenolytics (mitotane) alone or associated with doxorubicin, cisplatin and etoposide.