Metastatic pheochromocytoma: Does the size and age matter?

• Published in: European journal of clinical investigation 2011-10, Vol.41 (10), p.1121-1128
• Main Authors: Zelinka, Tomáš, Musil, Zdeněk, Dušková, Jaroslava, Burton, Deborah, Merino, Maria J., Milosevic, Dragana, Widimský Jr, Jiří, Pacak, Karel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms - genetics; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms - metabolism; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms - pathology; Adrenals. Adrenal axis. Renin-angiotensin system (diseases); Adult; Age Factors; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor; Case-Control Studies; Endocrinopathies; Epinephrine; Epinephrine - secretion; Female; General aspects; Humans; Male; malignant pheochromocytoma; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases. Target tissue resistance. Benign neoplasms; norepinephrine; Norepinephrine - secretion; Pheochromocytoma - genetics; Pheochromocytoma - metabolism; Pheochromocytoma - pathology; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Tumor Burden
• ISSN: 0014-2972; 1365-2362
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2011.02518.x

Eur J Clin Invest 2011; 41 (10): 1121–1128 Background  Pheochromocytomas are tumours arising from chromaffin tissue located in the adrenal medulla associated with typical symptoms and signs which may occasionally develop metastases, which are defined as the presence of tumour cells at sites where these cells are not found. This retrospective analysis was focused on clinical, genetic and histopathologic characteristics of primary metastatic versus primary benign pheochromocytomas. Materials and methods  We identified 41 subjects with metastatic pheochromocytoma and 108 subjects with apparently benign pheochromocytoma. We assessed dimension and biochemical profile of the primary tumour, age at presentation and time to develop metastases. Results  Subjects with metastatic pheochromocytoma presented at a significantly younger age (41·4 ± 14·7 vs. 50·2 ± 13·7 years; P