Postmenopausal onset of androgen excess: a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm based on extensive clinical experience.

PURPOSE: Postmenopausal hyperandrogenism is a rare condition that requires identifying those women bearing a life-threatening tumor. We aimed to study diagnostic work-up and management of postmenopausal androgen excess, proposing an algorithm for clinical decision supporting. METHODS: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study and longitudinal follow-up including 51 consecutive menopausal patients reported for hyperandrogenism between 2003 and 2023 to our clinics. We assessed diagnostic testing accuracy and performance by receiver operating characteristic curves, their respective areas under the curve (AUCROC), and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI), for distinguishing between benign and malignant conditions, and androgen excess source. RESULTS: Most commonly, postmenopausal hyperandrogenism derived from benign conditions such as ovarian hyperthecosis (n = 9). However, four (8%) patients had borderline/malignant tumors arising at the ovaries (n = 3) or adrenals (n = 1). These latter were more likely to develop virilization than those with benign disorders [specificity(95%CI)]: 0.87 (0.69; 0.92)]. Circulating total testosterone [AUCROC(95%CI): 0.899 (0.795; 1.000)] and estradiol [AUCROC(95%CI): 0.912 (0.812; 1.000)] concentrations showed good performances for discriminating between both conditions. Transvaginal-ultrasonography found two out of three potentially malignant ovarian neoplasms, and another was apparent on a pelvic computed tomography scan. An adrenal computed tomography scan also located an androgen-secreting carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical or biochemical features of an aggressive androgen-secreting tumor should lead to urgently obtaining a targeted imaging. At first, an abdominal-pelvic CT scan represents the best choice to perceive adrenal malignancy, and may identify aggressive ovarian tumors. When warning signs are lacking, a calm and orderly work-up allows properly addressing the diagnostic challenge of postmenopausal hyperandrogenism.

Tumour size in adrenal tumours: its importance in the indication of adrenalectomy and in surgical outcomes-a single-centre experience.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relevance of tumour size in adrenal tumours in the estimation of malignancy risk and in the outcomes of adrenalectomy. METHODS: We evaluate the histological results and surgical outcomes (intraoperative and postsurgical complications) in a retrospective single-centre cohort of patients without history of active extraadrenal malignancy with adrenal tumours consecutively operated in our centre during January 2010 and December 2020. We compared these results in lesions smaller and larger than 40, 50, and 60 mm. RESULTS: Of 131 patients with adrenal tumours who underwent adrenalectomy, 76 (58.0%) had adrenal masses measuring ≥ 40 mm; 47 were > 50 mm and 28 > 60 mm. The final diagnosis was adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) in 7 patients, pheochromocytoma in 35, and benign lesions in the remaining. All patients with ACC had adrenal masses > 50 mm, with Hounsfield units > 40 and low lipidic content in the CT. The risk of ACC and pheochromocytoma increased as tumour size did. The diagnostic accuracy of tumour size was quite good for the prediction of ACC (AUC-ROC 0.883). Nevertheless, when only adrenal tumours with HU < 40 were considered, the risk of ACC was 0% independent of tumour size. For pheochromocytomas, the risk was of 8.6% independent of tumour size for lesions with < 20HU. The risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications was independent of tumour size. CONCLUSION: Risk of malignancy and of pheochromocytoma increased as tumour size increased, but, in the presurgical estimation of malignancy risk and of pheochromocytoma, not only tumour size, also lipidic content and other radiological features, should be considered. The risk of complications was independent of tumour size, but hospital stay was longer in patients with complication or open approach.

Protocol for presurgical and anesthetic management of pheochromocytomas and sympathetic paragangliomas: a multidisciplinary approach.

OBJECTIVE: To offer a practical guide for the presurgical and anesthetic management of pheochromocytomas and sympathetic paragangliomas (PGLs). METHODS: This protocol was based on a comprehensive review of the literature and on our own multidisciplinary team's experience from managing pheochromocytoma and sympathetic PGLs at a referral center. RESULTS: Patients with pheochromocytomas and sympathetic paragangliomas (PGLs) may develop potentially life-threatening complications, especially during surgical procedures. A complete biochemical, radiological, genetic, and cardiological assessment is recommended in the preoperative stage as it provides an evaluation of the risk of surgical complications and malignancy, allowing individualization of the presurgical treatment. Treatment with α-blockade and proper volume expansion in the preoperative stage significantly reduces the perioperative morbidity. During surgery, the anesthesiologist should look for a deep anesthetic level that inhibits the cardiovascular effects of catecholamines to minimize the risk of intraoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: An optimal presurgical evaluation of pheochromocytomas/ sympathetic PGL requires a multidisciplinary approach, including a complete hormonal, radiological, cardiac, genetic, and functioning evaluation in most cases. A proper preoperative evaluation in combination with strict blood pressure and heart rate control, and blood volume status optimization, will significantly reduce the risk of intraoperative and perioperative complications. In those patients who unfortunately develop intraoperative complications, the role of the anesthesiologist is essential since the selection of the appropriate management has a direct impact on morbimortality reduction.

Surgical and postsurgical management of abdominal paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas.

PURPOSE: To describe our current protocol for surgical and postsurgical management of abdominal paragangliomas (PGLs) and pheochromocytomas, with a special focus on multidisciplinary management in centres with experience. METHODS: The physicians involved in the management of patients with abdominal PGLs and pheochromocytomas of our hospital reviewed systematically current knowledge on the surgical management of abdominal PGLs and pheochromocytomas. RESULTS: Currently, surgery is considered the treatment of choice for abdominal PGLs and pheochromocytomas. The choice of surgical approach is determined based on the location of the lesion, size, patient́s body habitus and the likelihood of malignancy. Laparoscopic surgery is usually considered the gold standard approach for pheochromocytomas, but open access should be considered in invasive and/or potentially malignant tumours >8-10 cm and for abdominal PGLs. Postsurgical management of pheochromocytomas and PGLs includes close hemodynamic monitoring and treatment of postsurgical complications, the pathological study of the surgical specimen, reassessment of hormonal and/or radiological status and planning of follow-up based on the risk of recurrence and malignancy. CONCLUSION: Surgery represents the treatment of choice of most abdominal PGLs and pheochromocytomas. Optimal postsurgical evaluation, including hemodynamic, pathological, hormonal, and radiological evaluation, should be performed by a multidisciplinary team specializing in PGL/pheochromocytoma management.

Postoperative management of patients with pituitary tumors submitted to pituitary surgery. Experience of a Spanish Pituitary Tumor Center of Excellence.

There is a lack of evidence on timing, frequency, and duration of postoperative endocrine, radiologic, and ophthalmologic assessments that should be performed after pituitary surgery (PS). However, it is known that careful optimization of treatment and follow-up strategies as well as a multidisciplinary approach may have a significant impact on long-term outcomes, improving surgical results, minimize complications and facilitate their correct treatment if occurring, and optimize the hormonal, ophthalmological, and radiological reassessment throughout the follow-up. Considering that there are no specific guidelines on the postoperative management of patients with pituitary tumors (PT), we present our protocol for the postoperative management of patients with PT. It has been elaborated by the multidisciplinary team of a Spanish Pituitary Tumor Center of Excellence (PTCE) that includes at least one neurosurgeon, ENT, neuroradiologist, neuro-ophthalmologist, endocrine pathologist and endocrinologist specialized in pituitary diseases. We elaborated this guideline with the aim of sharing our experience with other centers involved in the management of PT thereby facilitating the postoperative management of patients submitted to PS.