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Resection Versus Observation for Adrenal Gland Metastasis

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Difficult Decisions in Endocrine Surgery

Part of the book series: Difficult Decisions in Surgery: An Evidence-Based Approach ((DDSURGERY))

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Abstract

The adrenal glands are frequently the site of metastasis from several different types of cancers, including lung, breast, melanoma, renal cell, and colon. Traditionally, the finding of adrenal metastasis was believed to portend end-stage disease and consequently surgery was rarely performed. Since the introduction of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in 1992, resection for isolated adrenal metastases is being reported with increasing frequency, and several authors have even reported improved outcomes and survival in selected patients. Presently the evidence for this recommendation is based solely on published anecdotal reports and retrospective series. Hence prospective studies are desperately needed so that formal guidelines can be established in the decision-making process for patients with adrenal metastases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Oncology, Centre Hospitalier de l’université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Frédéric Mercier

  2. Department of Surgery, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Liane S. Feldman

  3. Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Liane S. Feldman

  4. Department of Surgery, Royal Victoria Hospital – Glen Site, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Elliot J. Mitmaker

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  1. Frédéric Mercier
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  2. Liane S. Feldman
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Correspondence to Elliot J. Mitmaker .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery and MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Peter Angelos

  2. Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Raymon H. Grogan

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Mercier, F., Feldman, L.S., Mitmaker, E.J. (2018). Resection Versus Observation for Adrenal Gland Metastasis. In: Angelos, P., Grogan, R. (eds) Difficult Decisions in Endocrine Surgery. Difficult Decisions in Surgery: An Evidence-Based Approach. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92860-9_32

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