Published online Oct 16, 2017. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v5.i10.373
Peer-review started: April 26, 2017
First decision: May 23, 2017
Revised: June 14, 2017
Accepted: July 7, 2017
Article in press: July 7, 2017
Published online: October 16, 2017
Processing time: 170 Days and 3.8 Hours
Adrenal ganglioneuromas (GNs) constitute rare, differentiated tumors which originate from neural crest cells. GNs are usually hormonally silent and tend to be discovered incidentally on imaging tests. Adrenalectomy is the gold standard for the treatment of primary adrenal GNs. Nevertheless, preoperative differential diagnosis of GNs remains extremely challenging, and thus histopathological examination is required in order to confirm the diagnosis of GN. Overall, prognosis after surgical resection seems to be excellent, without any recurrences or need for adjuvant therapy.
Core tip: Adrenal ganglioneuromas (GNs) are uncommon, differentiated tumors which originate from neural crest cells. These lesions are usually discovered incidentally because they tend to be hormonally silent. Even though, surgery is the gold standard for the treatment of adrenal GNs, the process of preoperative differential diagnosis remains extremely challenging. Therefore, histologic examination is necessary in order to confirm this rare diagnosis. In general, there is no need for adjuvant treatment and the overall prognosis of these patients is excellent.