Malignant and Metastatic Pheochromocytoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors. Although predominantly occurring in the adrenal glands, these tumors can present anywhere along the sympathetic chain. Indeed, classical teaching states that 10% of pheochromocytomas are extra-adrenal and 10% are malignant. We report a case of a 61-y...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Michael H. Johnson, Jaime A. Cavallo, R. Sherburne Figenshau
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2014-07-01
Series:Urology Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214442014000692
Description
Summary:Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors. Although predominantly occurring in the adrenal glands, these tumors can present anywhere along the sympathetic chain. Indeed, classical teaching states that 10% of pheochromocytomas are extra-adrenal and 10% are malignant. We report a case of a 61-year-old female who underwent presumptive cytoreductive nephrectomy and adrenalectomy for renal carcinoma but was instead found to have malignant pheochromocytoma. Proper identification, surgical extirpation, and follow-up are imperative for treatment. We review the classic and current literature regarding management of this uncommon tumor.
ISSN:2214-4420