How rare is a paraganglioma?

Paraganglioma is rare and it is estimated that only 2 people out of every 1 million people have paraganglioma. It is most often found in people aged 30 to 50 years old.

Are Paragangliomas cancerous?

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.

What are the symptoms of a paraganglioma?

Signs and symptoms of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma include high blood pressure and headache.

• High blood pressure.
• Headache.
• Heavy sweating for no known reason.
• A strong, fast, or irregular heartbeat.
• Being shaky.
• Being extremely pale.

Where is a pheochromocytoma located?

A pheochromocytoma (fee-o-kroe-moe-sy-TOE-muh) is a rare, usually noncancerous (benign) tumor that develops in an adrenal gland. You have two adrenal glands —one located at the top of each kidney. Usually, a pheochromocytoma develops in only one adrenal gland.

Is paraganglioma a terminal?

Paraganglioma of the filum terminal/cauda equina is a rare slow growing tumor which originates from the ectopic sympathetic neurons. Surgically, total excision may be difficult for this well demarcated tumor surrounded by couple of rootlets but is usually possible in nearly all cases.

Are paragangliomas fatal?

Paraganglioma are found in 2 out of every million people each year and is the cause of high blood pressure in less than 0.2% of people with high blood pressure. However, because paraganglioma release adrenaline in uncontrolled bursts, they can cause serious health problems like stroke, heart attacks, and even death.

What doctor treats paraganglioma?

A surgical oncologist is a doctor who specializes in cancer surgery. When it is possible, completely removing the entire tumor is the standard first treatment. For people with a head and neck paraganglioma that does not produce catecholamines, “watchful waiting” may be recommended instead.

When should you suspect pheochromocytoma?

The most leading catecholamine-related sign for clinicians to suspect pheochromocytoma is hypertension. Related to hypertension, four patterns of blood pressure are seen. Sustained hypertension, paroxysmal hypertension, sustained hypertension with paroxysms, and normotension.

What is the survival rate of pheochromocytoma?

Patients with a small pheochromocytoma that has not spread to other parts of the body have a five-year survival rate of about 95%. Patients with pheochromocytoma that has grown back (recurred) or spread to other parts of the body have a five-year survival rate between 34% and 60%.

How fast does a paraganglioma grow?

The majority of paragangliomas had a tumor doubling time > 10 years. The median tumor doubling time in the growing group was 4.2 years.

Are paragangliomas hereditary?

Paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas can develop sporadically in people without a genetic syndrome. However, in families with a history of hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma syndrome, the risk of developing tumors can be passed from parents to children.

How do you confirm pheochromocytoma?

Because catecholamine relase varies throughout the day, the best method of diagnosing pheochromocytomas is using a 24-hour urine collection. This involves obtaining a special urine container, which has a small amount of preservative, from a medical laboratory and filling it with one entire day’s worth of urine.

How often does a person with paraganglioma develop a tumor?

Most people with paraganglioma develop only one tumor in their lifetime. Pheochromocytoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor that arises from chromaffin cells that are found in the adrenal medulla.

Are there any side effects to the treatment of paraganglioma?

Blood pressure medications (for example phenoxybenzamine, doxazosin or propranolol) are often used to block the effects of excess adrenaline or noradrenaline on the body in order to reduce and stabilise blood pressure. This may be given as tablets as an outpatient or as an injection in hospital. Are there any side-effects to the treatment?

What are the different types of cervical paragangliomas?

Cervical paragangliomas are slow-growing tumors that can cause palsy and spread into the skull base. It can be difficult to distinguish between tumors that affect the vagus and those that involve the carotid artery. Jugular paragangliomas, which are usually large, often appear with paralysis of the fourth, fifth, and 11th cranial nerves.

Can A paraganglioma cause high blood pressure and sweating?

It is these hormones that lead to persistent or episodic high blood pressure and other symptoms. Although it is rare, some paragangliomas do not produce any catecholamines, so common symptoms such as high blood pressure, sweating or heart palpitations do not appear. These non-secreting paragangliomas are often found incidentally.