Malignant Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Medulla (Paraganglioma)

Recurrent phaeochromocytoma

“…True recurrence of a phaeochromocytoma is not uncommon. The extensive venous drainage of the adrenal gland allows microscopic venous invasion 6 and dissemination of the tumour cells into the renal vein and vena cava producing pulmonary metastases 7 . Recurrence of tumour will also take place if the initial operation is inadequate, either because of inability to completely resect the tumour or because of failure to perform complete excision of the adrenal gland containing the tumour.…”

Malignant Extra-adrenal Phaeochromocytoma

“…The patient had a typical clinical picture of phaeochromocytoma with episodes of rising blood pressure and increased catecholamine excretion. It was previously held that a malignant phaeochromocytoma is unable to increase pressure (McGavack, Benjamin, Speer and Klotz, 1942;Washington, Callahan and Edwards, 1946), but later observations have shown that both the primary tumour (Brines andJennings, 1948 Kimberley, 1956;Scheinin, 1960) and metastases (Davis et al, 1955;Bjorck, Linderholm, Lublin, Pernow and Tornberg, 1959;Kennedy, Symington and Woodger, 1961) can be pharmacologically active. Palmieri et al (1961) have even been inclined to refuse the classification malignant to phaeochromocytomas without clinical signs.…”

Clinical and Pathological Details of Two Cases of Phaeochromocytoma in Childhood

“…Malignant chromaffin tumours are rare and Willis (1953) doubts the accuracy of diagnosis of many tumours recorded as such. McGavack, Benjamin, Speer and Klotz (1942) present evidence of a malignant tumour of the adrenal medulla in a woman who died with numerous metastatic deposits. They accept seven other recorded cases as fulfilling the criteria for diagnosis of a malignant phaeochromocytoma.…”