Abstract

Introduction: The concept of malignancy for pheochromocytoma is complex and the best definition is the presence of metastases, according to WHO. Anatomopathological scoring systems are not effective in predicting metastases. Malignancy should be considered when tumors larger than 8cm (> 80g), paragangliomas (especially retroperitoneal), dopamine / methoxythyramine increase, Ki67> 6% and SDHB mutation. At 5 years, survival ranges from 50-69%. Metastases may appear 20-40 years after initial treatment of pheochromocytoma. We describe a case that metastasis was identified 33 years after pheochromocytoma excision Case report: A 57-year-old female patient with a postoperative history of 33 years of right adrenal pheochromocytoma was discharged from the endocrinologist after 10 years of follow-up. At diagnosis 33 years ago, she had symptoms of hypertension with paroxysms and weight loss that disappeared after tumor removal. 2 years investigating weight loss with general practitioner without another celebratory. On physical examination, orthostatic hypotension was highlighted. Plasma methanephrine 0.8 nmol / L (VR <0.5) and plasma normetanephrine 1.8 nmol / L (VR <0.9), chromogranin A 5.7 nmol / L (VR <3 nmol / L) and clonidine test with 36.6% suppression of metanephrines, suggesting tumor recurrence. MRI localized recurrence of the adrenals and MIBG scintigraphy with I131 that showed, respectively, in the topography next to the paracaval and retroportal right diaphragmatic crura, isointense T1 and slightly hyperintense T2 at 1.8 cm and radiopharmaceutical hypercaptation in right adrenal topography. Genetic panel by NGS did not identify germline mutation in 22 pheochromocytoma-related genes. FDG PETCT was consistent with MRI and MIBG images. Gallium PETCT68 DOTATOC detected the lesions already described, in addition to a lytic lesion in the left femoral intertrochanteric medulla. Anatomopathological approached abdominal lesion confirming pheochromocytoma metastasis in lymph node conglomerate. Currently has a negative methanephrine plasma, however chromogranin A 142 ng / mL (VR <93), and was chosen by the observant approach. Conclusion: The case of the patient illustrates that pheochromocytoma should be followed indefinitely, as metastases may appear many years later and may present different aggressiveness potentials.

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