ASO Author Reflections: Minimally Invasive Versus Open Adrenalectomy in Patients with Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis

Excerpt

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare but aggressively malignant endocrine tumor. ACC can lead to the rapid development of locoregional invasion and distant metastasis, so the prognosis of ACC patients is poor.1 Local recurrence may be associated with inadequate primary surgery, and there are few additional effective therapies for this disease. Therefore, complete resection of the tumor is the cornerstone and curative treatment modality for ACC patients.2 Open adrenalectomy (OA) with regional lymph node dissection (LND) is usually considered to be the best surgical treatment, because it can provide maximum exposure, thus reduce the possibility of tumor spillage, facilitate complete resection, and improve margin control.1,2 In addition, when necessary, it can allow for vascular control. However, open surgery is mostly associated with greater trauma, increased risk of postoperative complications, and longer recovery time. …