Paraganglioma (patient information)
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Overview of paraganglioma
Paraganglioma is a rare benign tumor that origins from cells of the paraganglia. Paraganglia are a collection of cells that came from embryonic nervous tissue and are found in the abdomen, chest, head and neck areas. The tumors are divided into adrenal paragangliomas or pheochromocytomas and extra-adrenal paragangliomas. Symptoms may vary depending on the exact location of the tumor. Usual symptoms include hypertension, palpitation, headache, sweat, neck mass, cranial nerve palsies, tinnitus, hearing loss, swallowing difficulty, reddish bulge behind eardrum, Brown's sign, dysphagia, hoarseness, etc. Diagnostic tests involve blood and/or urine level of catecholamines and its metabolites, imaging tests such ultrasound, computed tomograph scan, magnetic resonance image scan. Treatments are surgery, radiation therapy and embolization.
Where to find medical care for paraganglioma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating paraganglioma
Copyleft Sources
http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary/?CdrID=390305
http://www.utmb.edu/otoref/Grnds/paragang-9812/paragang-9812.html