Pheochromocytoma pathophysiology

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmad Al Maradni, M.D. [2] Mohammed Abdelwahed M.D[3]

Overview

Pheochromocytoma arises from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla. On gross pathology, pheochromocytoma has a multinodular and a multicentric pattern of growth. On microscopic histopathological analysis, nesting (Zellballen) pattern composed of well-defined clusters of tumor cells separated by fibrovascular stroma may be seen. It may be benign, malignant, familial (multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 and type 2B) or sporadic. All of these forms have genetic origin depending on a large number of genes, for example, VHL, SDH, NF1, RET genes.

Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology associated with pheochromocytoma is as follow:[1] [2][3]

Effects of adrenergic stimulation by pheochromocytoma

Genetics

  • Pheochromocytoma can be transmitted in a sporadic(60-65%) or familial pattern. [4][5]
  • Genes involved in the pathogenesis of pheochromocytoma include:
    • RET gene (MEN 2A, MEN 2B syndromes)
    • VHL gene (VHL disease)
    • SDHD, SDHB, and SDHC genes of the mitochondrial complex [6]
Familial pheocromocytoma
Cluster 1 (Noradrenergic) Cluster 2 (Adrenergic)

Associated conditions

Conditions associated with pheochromocytoma include:

MEN 1 MEN 2

Gross Pathology

On gross pathology, the characteristic findings of pheochromocytoma are:

Microscopic Pathology

On microscopic histopathological analysis, the characterisitc findings of pheochromocytoma typically include:

  • A nesting (Zellballen) pattern- this pattern is composed of well-defined clusters of tumor cells containing eosinophilic cytoplasm separated by fibrovascular stroma.

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References

  1. Goldstein RE, O'Neill JA, Holcomb GW, Morgan WM, Neblett WW, Oates JA; et al. (1999). "Clinical experience over 48 years with pheochromocytoma". Ann Surg. 229 (6): 755–64, discussion 764-6. PMC 1420821. PMID 10363888.
  2. Raz I, Katz A, Spencer MK (1991). "Epinephrine inhibits insulin-mediated glycogenesis but enhances glycolysis in human skeletal muscle". Am J Physiol. 260 (3 Pt 1): E430–5. PMID 1900669.
  3. Arnall DA, Marker JC, Conlee RK, Winder WW (1986). "Effect of infusing epinephrine on liver and muscle glycogenolysis during exercise in rats". Am J Physiol. 250 (6 Pt 1): E641–9. PMID 3521311.
  4. Webb TA, Sheps SG, Carney JA (1980). "Differences between sporadic pheochromocytoma and pheochromocytoma in multiple endocrime neoplasia, type 2". Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 4 (2): 121–6. PMID 6103678.
  5. Yee JK, Moores JC, Jolly DJ, Wolff JA, Respess JG, Friedmann T (1987). "Gene expression from transcriptionally disabled retroviral vectors". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84 (15): 5197–201. PMC 298821. PMID 3474647.
  6. Gimm O (2005). "Pheochromocytoma-associated syndromes: genes, proteins and functions of RET, VHL and SDHx". Fam Cancer. 4 (1): 17–23. doi:10.1007/s10689-004-5740-1. PMID 15883706.
  7. King KS, Pacak K (2014). "Familial pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas". Mol Cell Endocrinol. 386 (1–2): 92–100. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2013.07.032. PMC 3917973. PMID 23933153.
  8. Sajjanar AB, Athanikar VS, Dinesh US, Nanjappa B, Patil PB (2015). "Non Functional Unilateral Adrenal Myelolipoma, A Case Report". J Clin Diagn Res. 9 (6): ED03–4. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/13209.6070. PMC 4525519. PMID 26266130.