Extra-adrenal composite paraganglioma with ganglioneuroma component presenting as a pancreatic mass

Endocr Pathol. 2009 Fall;20(3):191-5. doi: 10.1007/s12022-009-9085-z.

Abstract

Paragangliomas may have composite forms in which they combine features of a typical paraganglioma with those of a neural component consisting of either neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, or ganglioneuroma. These variants are rare and generally located in the adrenal. Herein, we describe a retroperitoneal, extra-adrenal composite paraganglioma-ganglioneuroma of a 57-year-old woman. Radiological evaluation revealed a nodular mass with apparent pancreatic location, with findings suggestive of an endocrine tumor, yielding the diagnosis of a pancreatic endocrine tumor. At histology the neoplasm, strictly adhering to the external surface of the pancreatic gland but well demarcated, displayed a main central region with typical paraganglioma features and cells arranged in cords and in a nesting "zellballen" pattern, positive for neuroendocrine markers, and a distinct peripheral area consisting of dense bundles of wavy spindled Schwann cells, with scattered ganglionic cells.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Breast Diseases / complications
  • Breast Diseases / surgery
  • Female
  • Ganglioneuroma / complications
  • Ganglioneuroma / pathology*
  • Ganglioneuroma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Leiomyoma / complications
  • Leiomyoma / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / complications
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / surgery
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / complications
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / pathology*
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Uterine Neoplasms / complications
  • Uterine Neoplasms / surgery

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor