Comparison of pheochromocytomas and abdominal and pelvic paragangliomas with head and neck paragangliomas.
OBJECTIVE
To compare clinical, radiologic, and pathologic characteristics, as well as management and outcomes, in a series of pheochromocytomas, abdominal and pelvic paragangliomas, and pelvic paragangliomas with head and neck paragangliomas.


METHODS
In this retrospective study, we reviewed charts of all patients seen at our institution between January 1995 and December 2006. We searched pathology and medical record databases under the terms pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma, head and neck tumors, carotid body tumors, glomus jugulare, and neuroendocrine tumors. We compared clinical, radiologic, and pathologic characteristics, as well as management and outcomes, between patients with pheochromocytoma, abdominal and pelvic paraganglioma, and head and neck paraganglioma.


RESULTS
Eighty-six patients were included (46 with head and neck paraganglioma, 23 with pheochromocytoma, and 17 with abdominal or pelvic paraganglioma). Compared with patients with head and neck paraganglioma, patients with pheochromocytoma or abdominal and pelvic paraganglioma were younger (35.7 +/- 16 years vs 43 +/- 17 years, P = .042) and were more likely to have the classic triad associated with catecholamine hypersecretion of palpitation, excessive sweating, and headache (40% vs 0%, P<.001); hypertension (70% vs 37%, P = .005); and benign tumors (65% vs 43%, P = .03). Patients with head and neck paraganglioma and patients with pheochromocytoma/abdominal and pelvic paraganglioma were not different in female to male ratios (27:19 vs 29:11, respectively, P = .18), tumor size (5.8 +/- 2.7 cm vs 5.7 +/- 3 cm, respectively; P = .85), or remission rate (43% vs 60%, respectively, P = .13).


CONCLUSIONS
Head and neck paraganglioma are similar to pheochromocytoma and abdominal and pelvic paraganglioma in size and outcome, but occur at an older age, lack hyperadrenergic manifestations, and are more likely to have local pressure effects and result in persistent disease.
Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mohamed
M
Al-Harthy
Saud
S
Al-Harthy
Abdullah
A
Al-Otieschan
Suresh
S
Velagapudi
Ali S
AS
Alzahrani
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010235:Paraganglioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047368:Tumor Burden; D055815:Young Adult