A patient with a lung cancer metastatic to the adrenal glands may develop retroperitoneal hemorrhage that can be massive.
The patient may have a history of lung cancer, or the adrenal hemorrhage may be the first indication of the underlying lung cancer.
Clinical features may be initially nonspecific:
(1) flank or back pain
(2) unexplained anemia
(3) hypotension
(4) signs of adrenal insufficiency (if metastases are bilateral)
(5) fever
The diagnosis can be confirmed by imaging studies with contrast material.
Therapy may include:
(1) surgical resection of the bleeding adrenal gland
(2) transcatheter embolization
(3) radiation therapy
(4) chemotherapy
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Specialty: Hematology Oncology, Surgery, general
ICD-10: ,