Melanoma metastatic to the adrenal gland: An update on the role of adrenalectomy in multidisciplinary management

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Modern systemic therapy (immune checkpoint blockade [ICB], targeted therapy) has improved survival for patients with metastatic melanoma. The role of adrenal metastasectomy is not well characterized in this setting. Methods: Consecutive patients treated with adrenalectomy 1/1/2007–1/1/2019 were retrospectively compared to patients treated with systemic therapy alone in the same time period. Overall survival and survival after adrenal metastasis were compared, prognostic factors associated with survival after adrenal metastasis development were evaluated. Results: A total of 74 patients underwent adrenalectomy and were compared to 69 treated with systemic therapy alone. The most common indications for adrenalectomy were to render the patient disease-free in the setting of isolated adrenal metastasis (n = 32, 43.2%) or treatment of isolated progression in the setting of other stable/responding metastases (n = 32, 43.2%). Patients treated surgically had longer survival (116.9 vs. 11.0 months after adrenal metastasis diagnosis, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, receipt of ICB (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.40–0.95]) and selection for adrenalectomy (HR: 0.27, 95% CI: [0.17–0.42]) were the strongest factors associated with improved survival after adrenal metastasis diagnosis. Conclusions: Selective application of adrenal metastasectomy is associated with prolonged survival benefit and remains an important consideration in the multidisciplinary management of patients with metastatic melanoma.