title: Paragangliomas Arising in the Head and Neck: A Morphologic Review and Genetic Update.
abstract: Seventy percent of parasympathetic paragangliomas arise in the head and neck and are nonsecretory. Awareness of the differential diagnosis based on location, overlapping morphology, and immunohistochemical profiles aids in the correct diagnosis, particularly on limited tissue samples. Moreover, 30% to 40% of head and neck paragangliomas are known to be associated with hereditary syndromes, with the succinate dehydrogenase enzyme family comprising the most frequent association. The pathologist's role is becoming increasing critical for facilitating optimal patient care beyond the initial tissue diagnosis of paraganglioma to include screening and documenting potential hereditary tumors requiring further patient counseling and testing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 085, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: mdwillia@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: Michelle D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Clinical Cancer Genetics Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Hermann Pressler Drive, Unit 444, Houston, TX 77230, USA.
authors.forename: Thereasa A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Rich
keywords: Familial syndromes; Head and neck neoplasms; Morphology; Paraganglioma; SDHB immunohistochemistry