Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas in humans and dogs

Abstract

Pheochromocytomas (PCCs) and paragangliomas (PGLs) are described in several species. In humans and dogs they have many similarities: the excessive catecholamine release in hormonally active PCC causes similar clinical signs, the frequency of metastasis is similar, and they are histopathologically almost identical. Surgery is curative when PCC and PGL have not metastasized, while only palliative treatment is possible for patients with metastatic disease. Mutations in succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) are associated with metastatic behaviour in human PCC/PGL and the same mutation has been described in dogs. The dog might therefore be a suitable model for study of the pathogenesis of metastatic PCC and PGL in humans. Further molecular studies of common tumourigenic pathways and comparative studies of histopathology of human and canine PCC and PGL are warranted.

Paraganglioma of the Tongue in a Chow Chow Dog: A Comparison With the Human Counterpart and Literature Review

“…The exclusive S100 protein positivity of sustentacular cells in the Chow Chow dog was also reported in paragangliomas of the tongue in humans ( 16 – 18 ), and in EPs in a dog ( 7 ), and cat ( 12 ). Most EPs of dogs are anti-S100 protein negative ( 4 , 6 ). Melan-A, Cytokeratin, and EMA negative immunostainings of the lingual tumoral cells were fundamental to differentiate from common oral tumors of dogs such as melanomas and carcinomas.…”

“…The immunolabeling for Chromogranin A, Synaptophysin, Vimentin, and GFAP antibodies is a hallmark of extra-adrenal paragangliomas in dogs and humans (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8), and also in horses (9, 10), and cats (11,12). Paragangliomas of the tongue in human patients have similar immunohistochemical features (16)(17)(18), as observed in the dog.…”

“…Paragangliomas of the head and neck usually have a parasympathetic origin and generally are non-secretory (2,3). Extra-adrenal paragangliomas (EPs), also known as chemodectomas, are neuroendocrine tumors derived from paraganglia of the autonomic nervous system (3,4). In dogs, the most common locations of EPs are mediastinum (aortic body), head and neck (carotid and jugular bodies), and also occur in other infrequent sites such as orbit and abdomen (4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

“…Extra-adrenal paragangliomas (EPs), also known as chemodectomas, are neuroendocrine tumors derived from paraganglia of the autonomic nervous system (3,4). In dogs, the most common locations of EPs are mediastinum (aortic body), head and neck (carotid and jugular bodies), and also occur in other infrequent sites such as orbit and abdomen (4)(5)(6)(7)(8). EPs have also been reported in orbit (9) and abdomen of horses (10), and in the retroperitoneal and renal region of cats (11,12).…”

Surgical Excision of an Adrenal Neuroblastoma in a Dog

“…In distinguishing between the aforementioned tumor types, various aspects need to be considered. Both ganglioneuromas and pheochromocytomas are generally slow growing masses compared with neuroblastomas (19), occurring in middle-aged to older dogs (20), and are both frequently incidental findings during a necropsy (21). Contrary to the other two tumors, neuroblastomas are reported in young dogs, similarly to what is described in humans (8).…”