50M with T1DM, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuritis (monthly IVIG), CKD4, pheochromocytoma 2016 s/p resection, presenting for a second opinion for recently discovered metastatic disease.
50M with T1DM, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuritis (monthly IVIG), CKD4, pheochromocytoma 2016 s/p resection, presenting for a second opinion for recently discovered metastatic disease.
2021-08-xx
plasma normetanephrine elevated
2021-09-xx
PET dotatate: 1.8cm nodule in surgical bed, multiple b/l pulm nodules, LN: [paraaortic RP, mediastinal].
Told to get his affairs in order, consult to VUMC entered.
Neuroendocrine tumors
arising from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla
(usually, "pheochromocytoma" refers specifically to adrenal tumors).
Same idea, paraganglia NET, but not adrenal (chromaffin staining usually less robust).
Catch-all term ("pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma")
Different papers use different acronyms for the same thing.
Determined by:
"Malignancy can only be determined from the presence of metastatic lesions at sites where chromaffin cells are normally absent."1
Proven by bx, functional imaging and catecholamines can also be helpful.
Metastatic: wrong place (bone ~60%, distant LN ~40%, lung ~30%, liver ~25%)
Synchronous: multiple right places (sympathetic trunk, H&N)
Recurrent: right place, again

Type and frequency depends on low- vs high-risk status.
