Answer and Discussion of Quiz Set: K-003

2.    The yellow to golden brown cut surface of adrenal cortical adenoma is typically resulted from which component of the tumor?

A.  Calcium depositions.

B.  Mucin secreted by the tumor cells.

C.  Lipid inside the tumor cells.

D.  Adipocytes admixed with the tumor cells.

E.  Fibrosis around tumor cells.

Answer and Discussion: The answer is (C). Similar to any other tumor with high lipid content in the tumor cells, clear cell renal cell carcinoma is another example, the cut surface is typically golden yellow to brown. The shared histologic feature of these tumors is clear bubbly cytoplasm due to the lipid content. Calcium depositions usually appear as white, hard, sand grains like deposition due to calficication. Mucin is usually pale gray but they may look yellow to brown if prior hemorrhage has happened. Mucin is not seen in adrenal cortical adenoma. Although adipocytes in mature fat appear golden yellow, adipocytes are not regularly seen in adrenal cortical adenoma. Fibrotic tissue is common in carcinoma but is not a major component in adrenal cortical adenoma in most cases. Fibrosis typically appears whitish grey on cut surface.