Paraganglioma overview
|
Paraganglioma Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Paraganglioma overview On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Paraganglioma overview |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Paraganglioma overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
A paraganglioma is a rare neoplasm that can be found in the abdomen, thorax, and in the head and neck region. They are usually considered benign and complete surgical removal results in cure. However, in about 3% of cases they are malignant and have the ability to metastasize. Paragangliomas are still sometimes called glomus tumors (not to be confused with glomus tumors of the skin) and chemodectomas, but paraganglioma is the currently accepted and preferred term.
Paragangliomas are found predominantly in the abdomen (85%) and the thorax (12%), and only 3% are found in the head and neck region. Most occur as single tumors. When they occur in multiple sites they are usually found as a part of a heritable syndrome such as multiple endocrine neoplasia types II-A and II-B and SDH-related mutations.
Historical perspective
Glomus tumor name formerly (and incorrectly) used paraganglioma.
Classification
Paraganglioma may be classified into several subtypes based on having neural cell line and site of origin.