Description
Neuroendocrine tumors
Neuroendocrine tumors are a heterogeneous group of tumors that originate from the neuroendocrine cells in the diffuse neuroendocrine system anywhere in the body but more commonly in the gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory system.
Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma
Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma are rare neuroendocrine tumors that originate from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal glands.Chromaffin cells produce catecholamine neurotransmitters, such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Compared to the normal chromaffin cells, pheochromocytomas and paraganglioma express high levels of the norepinephrine transporter on their cell surfaces. The excess amount of norepinephrine causes the clinical signs and symptoms like hypertension, headache, sweating, tremor, and palpitation. While most pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma are non-malignant (non-metastatic), about 10% of pheochromocytoma are malignant and about 25% of paraganglioma are malignant (metastatic) which can spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, bone, or distant lymph nodes.
