open access

Vol 56, No 6 (2005)
Original paper
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2006-06-26
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Analysis of morphology of adrenal pheochromocytoma as regards their potential malignancy

Maciej Kajor, Jacek Ziaja, Dariusz Lange, Robert Król, Monika Ciupińska-Kajor, Maria Turska-d’Amico, Bogusław Mąka, Lech Cierpka
Endokrynol Pol 2005;56(6):911-915.

open access

Vol 56, No 6 (2005)
Original Paper
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2006-06-26

Abstract

Background: Adrenal pheochromocytoma are diagnosed the most often in patients with arterial hypertension or with thyroid medullar cancer and suspicion of MEN II syndromes. The aim of the study is to analyse the morphology of pheochromocytomas on the basis of Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) in order to estimate their potential malignancy.
Material and methods: Forty tumours were subjected to analysis. Mean patients age was 45.2 ±13.4 years. The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was establish before surgery in 87.5%. 12.5% of patients were referred to surgery on the basis of tumour diameter (range 70 to 102 mm). In 20.0% of patients MEN II syndromes were diagnosed.
Results: In pathological examination benign pheochromo-cytoma was diagnosed in 39 presented patients. In 1 cases malignant form of pheochromocytoma was diagnosed on the basis of lymph nodes metastases. Number of points in PASS was ≥ 4 in 9 of 40 tumours (22.5%). Among 35 patients operated on more than 12 months ago 2 patients died: 1 patient with malignant pheochromocytoma (PASS = 8 points) and 1 patient with MEN IIA syndrome (due to disseminated thyroid medullar cancer). In remaining 7 observed patients with PASS ≥ 4 points neither recurrence nor metastases were diagnosed within the period of observation (13-90 months). In 1 out of patients with PASS <4 points a local recurrence was surgically removed 82 months after primary operation.
Conclusion: Analysis of pheochromocytoma in PASS is only of rough character and does not allow for clear-cut histological diagnosis of benign and malignant tumours. The only unquestionable criterion of pheochromocytoma’s malignancy remain metastases.

Abstract

Background: Adrenal pheochromocytoma are diagnosed the most often in patients with arterial hypertension or with thyroid medullar cancer and suspicion of MEN II syndromes. The aim of the study is to analyse the morphology of pheochromocytomas on the basis of Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) in order to estimate their potential malignancy.
Material and methods: Forty tumours were subjected to analysis. Mean patients age was 45.2 ±13.4 years. The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was establish before surgery in 87.5%. 12.5% of patients were referred to surgery on the basis of tumour diameter (range 70 to 102 mm). In 20.0% of patients MEN II syndromes were diagnosed.
Results: In pathological examination benign pheochromo-cytoma was diagnosed in 39 presented patients. In 1 cases malignant form of pheochromocytoma was diagnosed on the basis of lymph nodes metastases. Number of points in PASS was ≥ 4 in 9 of 40 tumours (22.5%). Among 35 patients operated on more than 12 months ago 2 patients died: 1 patient with malignant pheochromocytoma (PASS = 8 points) and 1 patient with MEN IIA syndrome (due to disseminated thyroid medullar cancer). In remaining 7 observed patients with PASS ≥ 4 points neither recurrence nor metastases were diagnosed within the period of observation (13-90 months). In 1 out of patients with PASS <4 points a local recurrence was surgically removed 82 months after primary operation.
Conclusion: Analysis of pheochromocytoma in PASS is only of rough character and does not allow for clear-cut histological diagnosis of benign and malignant tumours. The only unquestionable criterion of pheochromocytoma’s malignancy remain metastases.
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Keywords

pheochromocytoma; malignancy; pathological examination; PASS

About this article
Title

Analysis of morphology of adrenal pheochromocytoma as regards their potential malignancy

Journal

Endokrynologia Polska

Issue

Vol 56, No 6 (2005)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

911-915

Published online

2006-06-26

Page views

635

Article views/downloads

2380

Bibliographic record

Endokrynol Pol 2005;56(6):911-915.

Keywords

pheochromocytoma
malignancy
pathological examination
PASS

Authors

Maciej Kajor
Jacek Ziaja
Dariusz Lange
Robert Król
Monika Ciupińska-Kajor
Maria Turska-d’Amico
Bogusław Mąka
Lech Cierpka

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