Pheochromocytoma classification

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmad Al Maradni, M.D. [2] Mohammed Abdelwahed M.D[3]

Overview

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (collectively referred to as PPGLs) are rare tumors that originate from chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla (pheochromocytoma) or in the extra-adrenal neural ganglia (paraganglioma). These tumors can be either biochemically active (producing a catecholamine like epinephrine, nor-epinephrine and dopamine) or biochemically silent. PPGLs can be either sporadic or genetic, with association to several familial syndromes. PPGLs can also be classified according to their spread into local, regional, or metastatic. The defining characteristic of malignancy in PPGLs is the presence of metastasis.

Classification

Pheochromocytoma and paragangliomas may be classified into several subtypes based on:

  • Type of cells
  • Nature of tumor
  • Location
  • Biochemical secretory patterns
  • Genetics
  • Mutations and pathogenetic pathways

Classification based on type of cells the tumor is derived from

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas may be classified according to the cells they are derived from: [1]

Classification based on nature of tumor

Malignant and benign tumors share the same biochemical and histological characters. The only difference is the ability of the malignant tumor to metastasize to distant tissues and have high rates of recurrence.

  • According to the WHO 2017 Classification of Tumors of Endocrine Organs, all parangangliomas have metastatic potential and hence the term "malignant" was replaced with "metastatic". [2]
  • Common sites of metastasis include:

Classification based on location

  • 95% of pheochromocytomas are found in the abdomen
  • Intra-adrenal- 85-90%
  • Extra-adrenal (paragangliomas)- 10-15% are prevertebral and paravertebral sympathetic ganglia of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.
    • The tumors in the abdomen most commonly arise from the organ of Zuckerkandl which is a collection of chromaffin tissue around the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery or the bifurcation of aorta. [3] [4]

Classification based on biochemical secretory pattern

Pheochromocytoma and paragangliomas (PPGL) can be classified based on the biochemical secretory pattern: [2]

Classification based on genetics

Familial pheochromocytoma

Non-familial pheochromocytoma

Sporadic

  • Most catecholamine-secreting tumors are sporadic. Mutations have been identified in most of the sporadic cases.

Classification based on mutations and pathogenetic pathways

Pheochromocytoma and paragangliomas (PPGL) can be classified into the following clusters- [7] [8] [9]

References

  1. Jameson, J (2017). Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 19th Edition and Harrison's Manual of Medicine 19th Edition VAL PAK. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBN 978-1260128857.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Smith RJ, Bryant RG (1975). "Metal substitutions incarbonic anhydrase: a halide ion probe study". Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 66 (4): 1281–6. doi:10.1016/0006-291x(75)90498-2. PMID orcid.org/0000-0003-2771-564X Check |pmid= value (help).
  3. Lenders JW, Pacak K, Walther MM, Linehan WM, Mannelli M, Friberg P; et al. (2002). "Biochemical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma: which test is best?". JAMA. 287 (11): 1427–34. doi:10.1001/jama.287.11.1427. PMID 11903030.
  4. Lenders JW, Eisenhofer G, Mannelli M, Pacak K (2005). "Phaeochromocytoma". Lancet. 366 (9486): 665–75. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67139-5. PMID 16112304.
  5. Buffet A, Venisse A, Nau V, Roncellin I, Boccio V, Le Pottier N; et al. (2012). "A decade (2001-2010) of genetic testing for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma". Horm Metab Res. 44 (5): 359–66. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1304594. PMID 22517557.
  6. Jafri M, Whitworth J, Rattenberry E, Vialard L, Kilby G, Kumar AV; et al. (2013). "Evaluation of SDHB, SDHD and VHL gene susceptibility testing in the assessment of individuals with non-syndromic phaeochromocytoma, paraganglioma and head and neck paraganglioma". Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 78 (6): 898–906. doi:10.1111/cen.12074. PMID 23072324.
  7. Jameson, J (2017). Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 19th Edition and Harrison's Manual of Medicine 19th Edition VAL PAK. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBN 978-1260128857.
  8. Eisenhofer G, Huynh TT, Pacak K, Brouwers FM, Walther MM, Linehan WM; et al. (2004). "Distinct gene expression profiles in norepinephrine- and epinephrine-producing hereditary and sporadic pheochromocytomas: activation of hypoxia-driven angiogenic pathways in von Hippel-Lindau syndrome". Endocr Relat Cancer. 11 (4): 897–911. doi:10.1677/erc.1.00838. PMID 15613462.
  9. Lam AK (2017). "Update on Adrenal Tumours in 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) of Endocrine Tumours". Endocr Pathol. 28 (3): 213–227. doi:10.1007/s12022-017-9484-5. PMID 28477311.