Adrenal incidentalomas, cortisol secretion and cancer: is there a real crosstalk?

• DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1335202
• Publication Date: 2024-01-08T06:05:08Z
• Authors: Aura D. Herrera-M...; Ángel Rebollo Román; Eider Pascual Cor...; Cindy Idrobo; Paola Parra Ramírez; Patricia Martín R...; Cristina Robles L...; Marta Araujo-Castro
• Keywords: Crosstalk

Cortisol has immunomodulatory effects that increase the risk and evolution of several diseases. Cancer is characterized by a proinflammatory state in which cells exert impaired function proliferation. The relation between cortisol secretion increased malignant neoplasm, or their behavior, not been fully elucidated. To determine prevalence clinical outcome neoplasms patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AIs). Multicenter retrospective study included 935 AIs. was defined post-dexamethasone suppression test > 1.8 µg/dL, nonfunctioning AIs (NFAIs) as value ≤ µg/dL. evident 30.8% cancer 23.6% (especially breast, colorectal, prostate thyroid cancer). No differences were found NFAIs (63.6% vs. 63.4%, p=0.10). After adjusting age, associated presence (OR 1.29, CI 0.93-1.78). However, significantly stage IV at diagnosis 2.68, 1.19- 6.00) mortality 3.2, 1.28- 7.97). Patients NFAI breast required treatment chemo- radio-therapy more frequently secreting AI (90% vs 10% 92.9% 7.1% respectively, p<0.05), similarly radiotherapy (90.9% 9.1%, p=0.05); also, colorectal NFAI, tended to require chemotherapy frequently(76.5% 23.5%, p=0.06). does but it affects its course, requirements mortality, leading worst prognosis higher when compared NFAIs.