Clinical Analysis of Pheochromocytoma and Abdominal Paragangliomas.
10.16956/kjes.2011.11.4.269
- Author:
Sang Hoon KIM
1
;
Seung Pil JUNG
;
Jeong Hee LEE
;
Ji Yeong KIM
;
Min Yeong CHOI
;
Se Kyung LEE
;
Jun Ho CHOE
;
Jeong Eon LEE
;
Jee Soo KIM
;
Seok Jin NAM
;
Jung Hyun YANG
;
Jung Han KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jhkim15@skku.edu
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Adrenal gland;
Malignant pheochromocytoma;
Paraganglioma
- MeSH:
Adrenal Glands;
Biomarkers;
Humans;
Male;
Medical Records;
Paraganglioma*;
Pheochromocytoma*;
Retrospective Studies
- From:Korean Journal of Endocrine Surgery
2011;11(4):269-275
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: We compared clinical characteristics between pheochromocytoma and abdominal paragangliomas and identified predictive factors of malignancy. METHODS: Between November, 1995 and January, 2011, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 145 patients with pheochromocytoma and abdominal paraganglioma at Samsung Medical Center. We compared two tumors (pheochromocytoma vs abdominal paraganglioma) about a potential of hypersecretion of cathecholamines and identified predictive factors of malignancy by analysis of clinical characteristics, biochemical markers, tumor features. Their postoperative results were also evaluated. RESULTS: This study included 103 (71%) pheochromocytomas and 42 (29%) abdominal paragangliomas. Eighty-six percent were benign and 14% were malignant. Patients with paraganglioma were more predominantly men and exhibited a higher malignancy rate (P<0.01) than pheochromocytoma patients. Most (95%) pheochromocytoma was hyperfunctional, but abdominal paraganglioma were hyperfunctional in 74%. There were no significant differences in biochemical markers between the pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma groupd. When compared with benign tumor, malignant tumors were significantly related with higher mean PASS (P<0.01) and higher 24-hour urinary VMA (P=0.02), but not with larger tumor size. CONCLUSION: It is not easy to distinguish malignant from benign tumors by clinical characteristics and pathologic features in the management of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. We should keep in mind that abdominal paraganglioma can be also hyperfunctional in many pheochromocytoma patients and has a higher risk of malignancy.
