Adrenocortical tumor with left renal vein, vena cava and intrahepatic venous extension

A 41 year old white female presented with upper respiratory distress and shortness of breath appeared on initial computed tomography (CT) scan to have a large left retroperitoneal mass with left renal vein extension including a mass up to the level of the atrium. This presentation suggested hypernephroma. She proved, however, to have an adrenal cortical carcinoma which displaced the kidney, exhibiting vascular invasion within the gland and non-adherent extension into the vena cava, atrium, common hepatic vein and left renal vein, where some adherence was present. This unusual tumor required extensive surgery for removal, including use of cardiopulmonary bypass, with good results.