Is a paraganglioma cancer?

Paragangliomas are usually noncancerous (benign). But some paragangliomas can become cancerous (malignant) and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Paragangliomas are rare tumors. They can occur at any age, but they’re most often diagnosed in adults between 30 and 50.

Where is paraganglioma located?

Paraganglioma is a type of neuroendocrine tumor that forms near certain blood vessels and nerves outside of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are important for making hormones that control many functions in the body and are located on top of the kidneys.

What is paraganglioma syndrome?

Hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma is an inherited condition characterized by the growth of noncancerous (benign) tumors in structures called paraganglia. Paraganglia are groups of cells that are found near nerve cell bunches called ganglia. A tumor involving the paraganglia is known as a paraganglioma.

Can you biopsy paraganglioma?

In a biopsy, the doctor takes a small sample of tissue for testing in a laboratory. However, a tumor suspected to be a pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma should not have a biopsy, unless it is absolutely necessary to confirm a diagnosis.

Does malignant paraganglioma come back?

The only sure way to know if a pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma is malignant is if it has spread, called metastasis, or if it comes back, called a recurrence. Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are considered a subset of a group of tumors called neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

How common are paragangliomas?

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are rare. In the United States, about 2 to 8 people per every 1 million people are diagnosed with these tumors each year. Around 100 to 200 of these cases are malignant. Paragangliomas are far less common than pheochromocytomas.

How common is paraganglioma?

Do paragangliomas cause pain?

Some of most common symptoms are pain, hoarseness, fainting (syncope), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), eye problems (Horner syndrome), and paralysis of the tongue. Cervical paragangliomas are slow-growing tumors that can cause palsy and spread into the skull base.

What does paraganglioma mean?

Jump to navigation Jump to search. A paraganglioma is a rare neuroendocrine neoplasm that may develop at various body sites (including the head, neck, thorax and abdomen).

What does paraganglioma, extra-adrenal mean?

Paraganglioma (also known as extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma) is a type of noncancerous (benign) neuroendocrine tumor that occurs in autonomic ganglia called paraganglia.

What are paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma tumors?

Hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma is an inherited condition characterized by the growth of noncancerous (benign) tumors in structures called paraganglia. Paraganglia are groups of cells that are found near nerve cell bunches called ganglia. A tumor involving the paraganglia is known as a paraganglioma.