Differences between sporadic pheochromocytoma and pheochromocytoma in multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2

Abstract

The gross and microscopic pathology of the adrenal gland was studied in 69 [human] cases of sporadic pheochromocytoma to develop a profile of the neoplasm to compare with that of pheochromocytoma observed in the syndrome of multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2 (MEN 2). Sporadic pheochromocytoma was a unicentric (93%), unilateral (100%) neoplasm, which was associated with normal extratumoral adrenal medulla (100%). The findings contrast with those encountered in the adrenal gland in MEN 2, in which the tumor involvement is frequently multicentric, usually bilateral and associated with extratumoral medullary hyperplasia in cases of early involvement. The interpretation of the results of pathologic examination of a pheochromocytoma should be immediately communicated to the surgeon.