Role of sFDG PET/CT in adrenocortical carcinoma - A retrospective single center experience

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the adrenal cortex that has a poor prognosis because of its aggressive nature, rapid pace of disease progression and high recurrence rates. we explore the role of FDG PET/CT in pre-operative staging, post-operative/ post-treatment response assessment and follow-up of patients with adrenocortical carcinoma. ACC, who underwent ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in our department from January 2017 and August 2023 were retrospectively assessed. The PET/CT scans were analyzed by two experienced nuclear medicine physicians. Among the patients who had metastases, three had only retro-peritoneal lymph node involvement, while one, three and seven patients had metastases to contralateral adrenal, liver and lungs respectively. Further follow-up FDG PET/CT in these patients revealed disease progression in six (42.8%), stable disease in one (7%), while six (42.8%) were lost to follow up and only one patient achieved complete metabolic response. In patients with adrenocortical carcinoma, PET/CT could play an important role in evaluation of disease extent at baseline, in post-operative patients it could help in evaluating for residual disease, disease recurrence and assessment of treatment response