Malignant phaeochromocytoma: Report of a case and a critical review

Abstract

A right adrenal phaeochromocytoma is described in a 64-year-old man. Metastases to bone and subsequent death following cord compression occurred within 2 years of diagnosis. Twenty-seven cases in the English literature have been reviewed since 1968. In three of these, the pathological proof was unsatisfactory for the diagnosis of malignancy, and one further case was inadequately documented. The variation in incidence of malignancy found in large retrospective series may relate to inconsistency in pathological criteria, as well as to selective reporting of cases.

Treatment of Metastatic Pheochromocytoma With Streptozocin

“…Sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m liver scans showed a 50% reduction in the size of the liver metastasis and a reduction of liver height from 22 to 18 cm, which is the upper limits of normal. Repeated abdominal computed tomography scan, however, demonstrated only a modest 25% reduction in the size of his right adrenal mass (from 12 …”