Diagnostic and molecular aspects of adrenal cortical tumors

Adrenal cortical diseases are relatively rare but tumors are the most common in diagnostic practice. This is reflected by the content of this review. By studying familial syndromes in which they occur more frequently and the pathways involved in steroidogenesis and cortical growth, the molecular genetics of these tumors is being unraveled. Genome-wide approaches have also been helpful. The emerging data may complement standard histological investigation in diagnosis and prognosis.