Endocrine Abstracts

Pheochromocytomas (PCC) and paragangliomas (PGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumours, located in the adrenal medulla (PCC) and in the intra-abdominal, thoracic or head and neck paraganglia (PGL). They have the highest heritability of all human neoplasms being a good example of diseases with underlying genetic heterogeneity. In this regard, at least 40% of PCC/PGL patients carry a germline mutation in one of the 16 genes described so far as related to the disease. In addition to th...

After establishing a biochemical diagnosis, pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas can be localized using different imaging modalities. Appropriate imaging is critical for primary tumor localization, the detection of multiple primary tumors and the detection of metastases. This will guide the optimal choice between curative surgery and palliative treatment options.First line anatomical imaging modalities for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma imaging inclu...

With the early management of medullary thyroid carcinoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 has become an example of chronic disease with prolonged follow-up to look for pheochromocytoma diagnosis and appropriate management. In any genetic disease where pheochromocytoma can happen bilaterally, the surgery has long been based on bilateral adrenalectomy (even in the presence of a single pheochromocytoma), and as a consequence on a life long treatment for adrenal insufficiency....