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Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) May 2024: Paragangliomas of the head and neck are rare, slow-growing neuroendocrine tumors, benign in their vast majority, but with a possibility of developing distant... (Review)
Review
: Paragangliomas of the head and neck are rare, slow-growing neuroendocrine tumors, benign in their vast majority, but with a possibility of developing distant metastases. They show great inheritable character, and their behavior has proven to be unpredictable; therefore, they are considered malignant. This article aims to offer a more comprehensive presentation of the pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnostic methods, imaging development, and treatment guidelines. We tried to bring together all the necessary data that, in our opinion, a head and neck practitioner should know when managing this type of tumor. Our main focus is on the most recent studies, with the purpose of a homogenous presentation of all current guidelines and approaches to this pathology. : Paragangliomas of the head and neck are still a disputed topic. One of the main reasons for that is their low incidence of 0.3 to 1 per 100,000 every year. The most frequent locations are the carotid body, the temporal bone, the jugular and mastoid foramen, and the vagal nerve. Their clinical presentation usually involves a painless lateral mass associated with symptoms such as hoarseness, hearing loss, tinnitus, and cranial nerve deficits. Up to 40% of them are inherited, mostly linked with mutations of succinate dehydrogenase complex. Imaging evaluation consists of CT and MRI, and new functional explorations such as F-FDA and F-FDG PET/CT, F-DOPA PET, I-MIBG, and Ga-DOTATE PET/CT. Measuring the catecholamine levels in the plasma and urine is mandatory, even though paragangliomas of the head and neck rarely display secretory behavior. Treatment mainly consists of surgery, with different approaches and techniques, but conservative management methods such as wait and scan, radiotherapy, proton therapy, and chemotherapy have proven their efficiency. The therapeutical decision lacks consensus, and current studies tend to recommend an individualized approach. Guidelines regarding long-term follow-up are still a matter of debate.
Topics: Humans; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Paraganglioma
PubMed: 38929531
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60060914 -
Cancers Jun 2024Metastatic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are rare endocrine malignancies with limited effective treatment options. The association between the tumor...
Metastatic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are rare endocrine malignancies with limited effective treatment options. The association between the tumor microenvironment (TME) with somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) and hypoxia-induced factor-2α (HIF-2α) in PPGLs, critical for optimizing combination therapeutic strategies with immunotherapy, remains largely unexplored. To evaluate the association of SSTR2 and HIF-2α immunoreactivity with the TME in patients with PPGLs, we analyzed the expression of SSTR2A, HIF-2α, and TME components, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (CD4 and CD8), tumor-associated macrophages (CD68 and CD163), and PD-L1, using immunohistochemistry in patients with PPGLs. The primary outcome was to determine the association of the immune profiles with SSTR2A and HIF-2α expression. Among 45 patients with PPGLs, SSTR2A and HIF2α were positively expressed in 21 (46.7%) and 14 (31.1%) patients, respectively. The median PD-L1 immunohistochemical score (IHS) was 2.0 (interquartile range: 0-30.0). Positive correlations were observed between CD4, CD8, CD68, and CD163 levels. A negative correlation was found between the CD163/CD68 ratio (an indicator of M2 polarization) and SSTR2A expression (r = -0.385, = 0.006). HIF-2α expression showed a positive correlation with PD-L1 IHS (r = 0.348, = 0.013). The co-expression of PD-L1 (HIS > 10) and HIF-2α was found in seven patients (15.6%). No associations were observed between SDHB staining results and the CD163/CD68 ratio, PD-L1, or SSTR2A expression. Our data suggest the potential of combination therapy with immunotherapy and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy or HIF-2α inhibitors as a treatment option in selected PPGL populations.
PubMed: 38927897
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122191 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders Jun 2024Hypertension (HT) is one of the most common manifestations in patients with catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumors. Although the cardiovascular manifestations of...
BACKGROUND
Hypertension (HT) is one of the most common manifestations in patients with catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumors. Although the cardiovascular manifestations of these tumors have been described, there have been no large-scale investigations of the profile of HT and changes in cardiac structure and function that occur in patients with pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this study, we investigated the prevalence of HT and left ventricular remodeling (LVR) in a cohort of 598 patients who underwent surgery for PPGL at our center between January 2001 and April 2022. Information on demographics, reason for hospitalization, medical history, biochemical parameters, findings on echocardiography, and tumor characteristics were recorded. The LVR index was compared according to whether or not there was a history of HT.
RESULTS
The average age was 47.07 ± 15.07 years, and 277 (46.32%) of the patients were male. A history of HT was found in 423 (70.74%) of the 598 patients. Paraganglioma was significantly more common in the group with HT (26.00% vs. 17.71%, P = 0.030) and significantly less likely to be found incidentally during a health check-up in this group (22.93% vs. 59.43%, P < 0.001). Among 365 patients with complete echocardiography data, left ventricular mass index (86.58 ± 26.70 vs. 75.80 ± 17.26, P < 0.001) and relative wall thickness (0.43 ± 0. 08 vs. 0.41 ± 0.06, P = 0.012) were significantly higher in patients with PPGL and a history of HT. The proportions with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (19.40% vs. 8.25%, P = 0.011) and LVR (53.73% vs. 39.18%, P = 0.014) were also higher when there was a history of HT. After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking status, diabetes, stroke, creatinine level, tumor location, and tumor size, a history of HT was significantly correlated with LVH (odds ratio 2.71, 95% confidence interval 1.18-6.19; P = 0.018) and LVR (odds ratio 1.83, 95% confidence interval 1.11-3.03; P = 0.018).
CONCLUSION
HT is common in patients with PPGL (70.74% in this cohort). PPGL without a history of HT is more likely to be found incidentally (59.43% in our cohort). HT is associated with LVR in PPGL patients with complete echocardiography data. These patients should be observed carefully for cardiac damage, especially those with a history of HT.
Topics: Humans; Pheochromocytoma; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Adult; Ventricular Remodeling; Paraganglioma; Hypertension; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Ventricular Function, Left; Risk Factors; Risk Assessment; Aged; Blood Pressure
PubMed: 38926862
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-03936-6 -
Neurologia I Neurochirurgia Polska Jun 2024Paragangliomas are neuroendocrine tumours commonly located in the abdomen, thorax, head and neck. The definitive treatment for these tumours is surgical resection, which...
INTRODUCTION
Paragangliomas are neuroendocrine tumours commonly located in the abdomen, thorax, head and neck. The definitive treatment for these tumours is surgical resection, which in some cases can be very challenging due to the involvement of critical neurovascular structures and their high vascularity. Therefore, pre-operative embolisation may be performed to reduce the risk of complications. This study aimed to present our experience with endovascular embolisation of head and neck paragangliomas (HNP).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In this single-centre study, we reviewed data from consecutive patients with HNP who underwent pre-operative embolisation from 2017 to 2023. The efficacy of embolisation, the method of embolisation, as well as the rate of complications, were noted.
RESULTS
A total of 27 patients (15 females) with an average age of 47 years underwent selective embolisation of HNP. Satisfactory embolisation, defined as occlusion of > 75% of the blood supply, was achieved in 22/27 cases (81.5%). The most commonly used embolic agents included coils and microspheres. With the exception of minor vessel dissections in two patients and embolic agent migration in two patients causing reversible occlusion of the intracranial vessels, there were no other complications associated with embolisation. No neurological deficits occurred in relation to the endovascular procedure.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study indicate that endovascular embolisation of HNP prior to surgical resection is a safe and efficacious procedure, with a relatively low complication rate and associated morbidity.
PubMed: 38916492
DOI: 10.5603/pjnns.99637 -
JCEM Case Reports Jun 2024Pheochromocytomas (PCCs) and/or paragangliomas (PGLs) are a challenge to diagnose during pregnancy because of elusive signs and testing difficulties. We report a...
Pheochromocytomas (PCCs) and/or paragangliomas (PGLs) are a challenge to diagnose during pregnancy because of elusive signs and testing difficulties. We report a 25-year-old woman with no pertinent medical history who presented to the hospital with hypertension, vision loss, and weakness and was initially diagnosed with preeclampsia. Imaging showed hemangioblastomas in the medulla and thoracic spine, pancreatic cysts, and a renal cyst. The endocrinology service was consulted for possible PCCs associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). Serum and urine normetanephrine levels were elevated despite the lack of overt PCCs/PGLs seen on magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography. The patient was medically managed with doxazosin and then labetalol. Despite successful resection of the hemangioblastoma in the medulla, the patient suffered respiratory distress requiring tracheostomy and venous-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) and fetal demise. After 3 months, the patient was discharged to rehabilitation. Follow-up genetics were heterozygous for VHL and Lynch syndrome. DOTATATE positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan showed a small hepatic focus of a maximum standard uptake value of 12.1. Altogether, this case illustrates the importance of prompt diagnosis and proper management of PCCs/PGLs during pregnancy and incorporating genetic information during surveillance to lower morbidity and mortality.
PubMed: 38911362
DOI: 10.1210/jcemcr/luae097 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Paragangliomas (PGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumors derived from the autonomic nervous system paraganglia. Urinary bladder paragangliomas (UBPGL) originate from the...
BACKGROUND
Paragangliomas (PGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumors derived from the autonomic nervous system paraganglia. Urinary bladder paragangliomas (UBPGL) originate from the sympathetic neurons of the urinary bladder wall and represent 0.7% of all paragangliomas and <0.05% of all bladder tumors. PGL and UBPGL can be associated with gene variants, with the most common germline alterations found in and .
CASE REPORT
We report a case of a 42-year-old woman who presented with menorrhagia/hematuria, uterine leiomyomas, as well as cardiac and bladder masses. The cardiac mass was favored to be a myxoma based on clinical findings, while the bladder mass was diagnosed as UBPGL. A novel mutation (c.642G>A, p Q214Q), detected in the UBPGL, was proven to be somatic. Although this variant was seemingly synonymous, it was predicted to have a loss of function due to the splice site effect, which was further supported by the immunohistochemical loss of .
CONCLUSION
This case highlights the challenges of diagnosing an extremely rare entity, bladder paraganglioma, with an emphasis on the multidisciplinary approach to navigate various clinical and imaging findings that may initially be misleading. In addition, a novel loss of function variant that could have been overlooked as a synonymous variant is herein reported, while also illustrating the importance of both germline and somatic mutation testing.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Paraganglioma; Succinate Dehydrogenase; Mutation
PubMed: 38911036
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1386285 -
Surgical Case Reports Jun 2024Tumors arising from catecholamine-producing chromophil cells in paraganglia are termed paragangliomas (PGLs), which biologically resemble pheochromocytomas (PCCs) that...
BACKGROUND
Tumors arising from catecholamine-producing chromophil cells in paraganglia are termed paragangliomas (PGLs), which biologically resemble pheochromocytomas (PCCs) that arise from the adrenal glands. Spontaneous rupture of a PGL is rare and can be fatal. Although elective surgery for ruptured PCCs after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) has been shown to provide good outcomes, the efficacy of TAE pretreatment for ruptured PGL remains unknown.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 65-year-old female with hypertension and tachycardia was diagnosed with a 3-cm PGL located behind the inferior vena cava. The patient was scheduled to undergo an elective surgery with antihypertensive therapy. However, she presented with a chief complaint of abdominal pain and was diagnosed with intratumoral hemorrhage. Urgent TAE was performed that successfully achieved hemorrhage control. After TAE, serum levels of both epinephrine and norepinephrine were within the normal range. Abdominal computed tomography revealed resolving retroperitoneal hematoma. Elective open surgery was performed without significant intraoperative bleeding or fluctuations in blood pressure.
CONCLUSION
We report a case of successful preoperative TAE for functional PGL to control intraoperative blood pressure fluctuations and bleeding. Preoperative TAE could be a useful procedure for the surgical preparation of functional PGL, including unruptured cases.
PubMed: 38904868
DOI: 10.1186/s40792-024-01907-9 -
World Journal of Clinical Cases Jun 2024Paragangliomas (PG) are rare neoplasms of neuroendocrine origin that tend to be highly vascularized, slow-growing, and usually sporadic. To date, common treatment...
BACKGROUND
Paragangliomas (PG) are rare neoplasms of neuroendocrine origin that tend to be highly vascularized, slow-growing, and usually sporadic. To date, common treatment options are surgical resection (SR), with or without radiation therapy (RT), and a watch-and-wait approach.
AIM
To evaluate the local control and effectiveness of exclusive fractionated stereotactic RT (FSRT) treatment in unresectable PG (uPG).
METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated patients with uPG (medically inoperable or refused SR) treated with FSRT with a Cyberknife System (Accuray Incorporated, Sunnyvale, California). Toxicity and initial efficacy were evaluated.
RESULTS
From May 2009 to January 2023, 6 patients with a median age of 68 (range 20-84) were treated with FSRT. The median delivered dose was 21 Gy (range 20-30 Gy) at a median isodose line of 75.5% (range 70%-76%) in 4 fractions (range 3-5 fractions). The median volume was 13.6 mL (range 12.4-65.24 mL). The median cumulative biological effective dose and equivalent dose in 2-Gy fractions were 70 Gy and 37.10 Gy respectively. Site of origin involved were the timpa-nojugular glomus (4/6), temporal bone, and cervical spine. In 1 of the 6 patients, the follow-up was insufficient; 5 of 6 patients showed a 5-year overall survival and 5-year progression-free survival of 100%. We observed negligible toxicities during and after RT. The majority of patients showed stable symptoms during follow-up. Only 1 patient developed spine metastases.
CONCLUSION
Our preliminary results on this small cohort of patients suggest that FSRT could be an effective and safe alternative to SR.
PubMed: 38899289
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i16.2729 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024This study aimed to compare tumor lesion detectability and diagnostic accuracy of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) and radioiodine-labeled... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
This study aimed to compare tumor lesion detectability and diagnostic accuracy of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) and radioiodine-labeled meta-iodo-benzylguanidine (mIBG) imaging techniques in patients with metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). This retrospective study included 13 patients had pheochromocytoma and 5 had paraganglioma, who were all suspected of having metastatic tumors. Each patient underwent WB-MRI and I-mIBG as a pretreatment screening for I-mIBG therapy. Two expert reviewers evaluated WB-MRI, I-mIBG images, and post-therapy I-mIBG images for the presence of metastatic lesions in the lungs, bones, liver, lymph nodes, and other organs. Diagnostic measures for detecting metastatic lesions, including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and receiver operating characteristics (ROC)-area under the curve (AUC), were calculated for each imaging technique. We analyzed WB-MRI images for detecting metastatic lesions, which demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, NPV, and AUC of 82%, 97%, 90%, 96%, 86%, and 0.92, respectively. These values were 83%, 95%, 89%, 94%, 86%, and 0.90 in I-mIBG images and 85%, 92%, 89%, 91%, 87%, and 0.91 in post-therapy I-mIBG images, respectively. Our results reveal the comparable diagnostic accuracy of WB-MRI to one of the mIBG images.
Topics: Humans; Pheochromocytoma; 3-Iodobenzylguanidine; Paraganglioma; Female; Male; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Middle Aged; Adult; Whole Body Imaging; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Iodine Radioisotopes; Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sensitivity and Specificity; Young Adult
PubMed: 38879654
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64607-2 -
Cureus May 2024Pheochromocytomas are tumors that develop from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla. More than 40% of cases of pheochromocytomas are associated with genetic...
Pheochromocytomas are tumors that develop from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla. More than 40% of cases of pheochromocytomas are associated with genetic conditions such as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) or von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Cystic pheochromocytomas are rare, generally asymptomatic, and thus of bigger size at the time of diagnosis. Surgical treatment is necessary to prevent cardiovascular morbidity and malignancy risk. We report the case of a 27-year-old patient admitted for further examination of a left adrenal mass that was discovered by an abdominal CT scan in the context of abdominal pain associated with hypertension evolving for three years. The clinical examination showed the presence of multiple café au lait spots, axillary and inguinal freckling with two dermal neurofibromas diagnosed clinically, as well as Lisch nodules on bilateral ophthalmic examination, thus meeting the clinical criteria for the diagnosis of NF1. The clinical laboratory investigation showed elevated urinary metanephrine and normetanephrine levels. CT scan examination showed a 10 cm left adrenal cystic mass on abdominal CT. This mass uptake of the radioligand in metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy without secondary extra-adrenal localization allowed the diagnosis of a seemingly benign cystic pheochromocytoma to be made. The patient was put on presurgical drug preparation with volume expansion and then underwent left unilateral adrenalectomy. The histopathological study was in favor of a rather aggressive cystic pheochromocytoma with a pheochromocytoma of the adrenal gland scaled (PASS) score of 9. Blood pressure and urine catecholamines at seven days, three months, six months, and one year after surgery were normalized. Cystic pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor with a potentially poor prognosis. It is characterized by a more insidious evolution and a larger volume at diagnosis. It should be considered a diagnosis in patients with a cystic adrenal mass or an extra-adrenal mass with fluctuating blood pressure during surgery. This case illustrates the importance of both presurgical preparation and screening for pheochromocytoma in neurofibromatosis type 1.
PubMed: 38864044
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60151