Head and Neck Paragangliomas are not so Rare after All: A Single-Center Experience in 3 Years

Abstract

Background: Paragangliomas in the head and neck (HNPGN) are usually non-functioning but associated with complications. Some of them are hereditary, but more studies are required to determine the need for genetic tests in our country. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics HNPGN evaluated in the Hospital de Especialidades Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI from 2018 to 2021, and the number of candidates for genetic testing. Materials and methods: This study was a retrospective evaluation of files from patients with HNPGN during this period. Clinical data, laboratory, imaging, pathology, and treatment results were collected with a calculated sample size of 81. Non-parametric statistics (frequencies, medians, and interquartile ranges, U-Mann-Whitney tests, or Chi-square tests) were calculated using SPSS v 21.0 with a significant p < 0.05 and approved by the Institutional National Ethics Committee. Results: Two hundred and forty-six patients, 90.2% female, 28.5% were 50 years of age or younger, 19.1% had head tumors, 78.5% neck and 2.4% in multiple sites, 55.7% had hypertension and 20.7% were incidental, 38.6% were large or invasive, 2% were metastatic, 2% were associated with a specific syndrome, and 38.6% had factors associated with hereditary HNPGN. Conclusions: HNPGN are more common than expected, and 53.7% are candidates for genetic testing.