Adrenal cortical neoplasia: from histology to molecular biology

Characterization of adrenal cortical proliferations requires integration of dynamic endocrine tests with imaging and histopathological characteristics. While pathologists are more frequently exposed to adrenalectomy specimens from patients with presumed adrenal cortical neoplasms, pre-operative biopsy specimens from non-functional adrenal lesions have also expanded the clinical tasks of pathologists. Confirmation of the adrenal cortical origin and distinction of benign cortical proliferations from adrenal cortical carcinomas are well-defined clinical responsibilities of pathologists. However, application of immunohistochemical and/or molecular biomarkers in adrenal cortical neoplasia and careful correlation of morphological features with laboratory findings and disease pathogenesis have evolved the impact of pathologist's role in the multidisciplinary team of endocrine disorders. This review provides an overview of what surgical pathologists need to know about the clinical, morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular features of various forms of adrenal cortical neoplasms (ACNs) in order to advance the clinical care.