Pheochromocytoma: a review of the literature

Catecholamine Surges Cause Cardiomyocyte Necroptosis via a RIPK1-RIPK3-Dependent Pathway in Mice

Background: Catecholamine surges and resultant excessive β-adrenergic stimulation occur in a broad spectrum of diseases. Excessive β-adrenergic stimulation causes cardiomyocyte necrosis, but the underlying mechanism remains obscure. Necroptosis, a major form of regulated necrosis mediated by RIPK3-centered pathways, is implicated in heart failure; however, it remains unknown whether excessive β-adrenergic stimulation-induced cardiac injury involves necroptosis. Hence, we conducted the present study to address these critical gaps.

Methods and Results: Two consecutive daily injections of isoproterenol (ISO; 85 mg/kg, s.c.) or saline were administered to adult mixed-sex mice. At 24 h after the second ISO injection, cardiac area with Evans blue dye (EBD) uptake and myocardial protein levels of CD45, RIPK1, Ser166-phosphorylated RIPK1, RIPK3, and Ser345-phosphorylated MLKL (p-MLKL) were significantly greater, while Ser321-phosphorylated RIPK1 was significantly lower, in the ISO-treated than in saline-treated wild-type (WT) mice. The ISO-induced increase of EBD uptake was markedly less in RIPK3^−/− mice compared with WT mice (p = 0.016). Pretreatment with the RIPK1-selective inhibitor necrostatin-1 diminished ISO-induced increases in RIPK3 and p-MLKL in WT mice and significantly attenuated ISO-induced increases of EBD uptake in WT but not RIPK3^−/− mice.

Conclusions: A large proportion of cardiomyocyte necrosis induced by excessive β-adrenergic stimulation belongs to necroptosis and is mediated by a RIPK1–RIPK3-dependent pathway, identifying RIPK1 and RIPK3 as potential therapeutic targets for catecholamine surges.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of pheochromocytoma-ganglioneuroma of the organ of Zuckerkandl

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic and immunocytochemical findings of a rare combined pheochromocytoma-ganglioneuroma developing in a 48-yr-old Japanese man in the organ of Zuckerkandl are described. This is the first report of a combined pheochromocytoma-ganglioneuroma of the organ of Zuckerkandl. FNA cytology showed typical cytologic findings of these two components similar to those described individually in fine-needle aspirates of these neoplasms. The neoplastic cells showed positive reactions for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, neuron-specific enolase, and S-100.

Malignant pheochromocytoma (paraganglioma) of the organ of Zuckerkandl: a study of two cases

Ten percent of pheochromocytomas are found in extra-adrenal locations and are called paragangliomas. In recent years we have had the opportunity to study two patients with malignant paragangliomas of the organ of Zuckerlandl. Only 13 cases of such neoplasms have been reported previously. Our cases are of interest because of their features of recurrence, distant metastases, response to adjuvant therapy, and long survival.

Nonfunctional preaortic paraganglioma: report of one case

A case of nonfunctional benign preaortic paraganglioma is reported. The patient, a woman aged 50, complained of vague mesogastric pain irradiated posteriorly, occasional nausea and vomiting, related to a tender pulsatile mesogastric mass fixed to the posterior wall of the abdomen. Preoperative diagnostic examinations showed a severe anemia, a severe mechanical impairment of renal function as shown at IVP, a doubt of aortic aneurism at echography, not confirmed by selective arteriography. The mass was removed radically. The diagnosis of nature was only microscopic. Since from 15 days after surgery IVP improved significantly. At three months follow-up the patient is well with no sign of recurrence.

A comparative study of 14 cases of familial and nonfamilial pheochromocytomas

A comparison is made between epidemiological features found in a group of 14 patients with familial and nonfamilial pheochromocytomas at M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute. The Sipple syndrome (familial) group comprised eitht patients from three different families, and the nonfamilial group consisted of six nonrelated patients. The main differences were noted in the age of onset, sex ratio, bilaterality, malignant behavior, and occurrence of a second nonendocrine primary tumor. An attempt was made by light microscopy to define features that would indicate malignant behavior. No such features could be delineated. Survival time was unrelated to the presence of pheochromocytoma except in operative and investigative procedures.