Incidence, Treatment, and Survival of Adrenocortical Carcinoma in Denmark 2003-2019

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a malignant tumor originating from the adrenal cortex. The aim of the study was to report the incidence of ACC and survival of ACC in Denmark. The secondary objective was to describe the impact of treatment with mitotane on survival. Design Retrospective population study of patients diagnosed with ACC between 2003 and 2019 in Denmark. Methods Individuals at risk for ACC were identified in the national Danish Health registries, and diagnosis of ACC was confirmed by review of the health records. Data on demographics, presentation, treatment, recurrence, and death was evaluated. Results 138 patients were included in the study with more females (59.4%) than males (40.6%). Incidence rate was 1.4 per million per year. The incidence rate ratio significantly increased only in females by 1.06 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.12] per year. Overall median survival was 1.93 (95% CI: 1.24-3.00) years with no differences between males and females. The proportion of patients treated with mitotane (either as adjuvant treatment or as part of a chemotherapeutic regime) was 72.3%. Survival was significantly decreased in women not treated with mitotane compared to women treated with mitotane (either as adjuvant or as part of a chemotherapeutic regime) hazards ratio .30 (95% CI: .10-.89), adjusted for European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours score, age at diagnosis, and year of diagnosis, but survival was unaffected by mitotane treatment in men. Conclusion Incidence of ACC in Denmark was 1.4 per million per year and increased in women but not in males during the study period 2003-2019.