Clinical Experiences of Pheochromocytoma in Korea.
- Author:
Kwang Hyun KIM
1
;
Jae Seung CHUNG
;
Won Tae KIM
;
Cheol Kyu OH
;
Yun Byung CHAE
;
Ho Song YU
;
Won Sik HAM
;
Young Deuk CHOI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords: Pheochromocytoma; incidentaloma; adrenal tumor
- MeSH: Adolescent; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/diagnosis/pathology; Adult; Aged; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pheochromocytoma/*diagnosis/pathology; Young Adult
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal 2011;52(1):45-50
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: PURPOSE: We report herein 119 patients with pheochromocytoma at our institute over the last 23 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1986 and 2009, 119 patients were diagnosed with pheochromocytoma at our institute. We reviewed the medical records of these patients. RESULTS: Of 119 patients, 45 were male and 74 were female, and mean age was 43.83 +/- 13.49 years. Forty-three patients (36.1%) were diagnosed incidentally, and 8 patients (6.7%) were found to have familial pheochromocytoma. The mean dimension of the tumors was 5.89 +/- 3.18 cm. 4 patients had bilateral tumors; three of these patients were found to have familial pheochromocytoma and 1 patient was diagnosed with malignant pheochromocytoma. A total of eight patients (6.7%) were found to have malignant pheochromocytoma. In 1 patient, metastasis to a lymph node was found at the time of diagnosis. Metastases were found at a mean of 49 +/- 25.83 (6-75) months after surgery in the other seven patients. 6 patients died of malignant pheochromocytoma at a mean of 31 +/- 28.71 months (1-81) after diagnosis, and the other 2 patients survived for 15 and 24 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Approximately 35% of patients with pheochromocytoma are diagnosed incidentally, and the number of detected cases is increasing. Although familial pheochromocytoma was found only in 6.7% of the patients, genetic testing should be considered in all patients, especially in patients with a family history, young age, or multifocal, bilateral, extra-adrenal, or malignant tumors. Given that malignant pheochromocytomas are frequently diagnosed during the follow-up period, long-term follow-up is necessary to confirm the absence of recurrence or metastasis.
