A Case of Multiple Paraganglioma Presenting as Recurrent Tumor Nermerous Times

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 2011;27(1):80-83.
Published online May 30, 2011.

Seok Hee Lee;Min Jin Sun;Mi Suk Choi;Dong Wook Lee

수차례 재발한 다발성 부신경절종 1예

이석희;선민진;최미숙;이동욱

Abstract

Paraganglioma is a relatively rare, generally benign and slow growing tumor arising from widely distributed paraganglionic tissue thought to originate from the neural crest. In the head and neck region, paraganglionic tissue is distributed in the superior and inferior paraganglia such as the carotid body, the vagal body, and the jugulotympanic region. Approximately 10% of patients with paraganglioma have a family history of such tumors. Multiple lesions can be found in 26% of patients with family history. It is important to distinguish between paraganglioma and atypical carcinoid tumor and medullary thyroid cancer. This can be done with histopatho-logic evaluation and immunohistochemical markers. Complete excision is recommended for the treatment of this tumor. Paraganglioma is particularly aggressive and rapid recurrence of paraganglioma is common after local resection. We present a case of malignant paraganglioma in the neck which recurred 2 months after local resec-tion. We suppose that radiation therpay could be the last option for the treatment in this clinical setting.

Key Words: Paraganglioma, Radiation therapy