Biomaterial Database

Familial pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas: stories from the sign-out room. 2006

Aurel Perren, and Paul Komminoth

Institute of Surgical Pathology, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland.

In this overview we present five patients with apparently sporadic pheochromocytomas or paragangliomas which turned out to be associated with an inheritable familial disease. For each patient a family history together with clinical, morphological, as well as molecular data are reported. The identified syndromes include multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2), von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL), neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), and familial pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma syndrome (SDHx). A brief summary of phenotypes, the genes involved, and typical mutations in these syndromes is provided.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009456	Neurofibromatosis 1	An autosomal dominant inherited disorder (with a high frequency of spontaneous mutations) that features developmental changes in the nervous system, muscles, bones, and skin, most notably in tissue derived from the embryonic NEURAL CREST. Multiple hyperpigmented skin lesions and subcutaneous tumors are the hallmark of this disease. Peripheral and central nervous system neoplasms occur frequently, especially OPTIC NERVE GLIOMA and NEUROFIBROSARCOMA. NF1 is caused by mutations which inactivate the NF1 gene (GENES, NEUROFIBROMATOSIS 1) on chromosome 17q. The incidence of learning disabilities is also elevated in this condition. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1014-18) There is overlap of clinical features with NOONAN SYNDROME in a syndrome called neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome. Both the PTPN11 and NF1 gene products are involved in the SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION pathway of Ras (RAS PROTEINS).	Peripheral Neurofibromatosis,Recklinghausen Disease of Nerve,von Recklinghausen Disease,Cafe-au-Lait Spots with Pulmonic Stenosis,Molluscum Fibrosum,NF1 (Neurofibromatosis 1),Neurofibromatosis I,Neurofibromatosis Type 1,Neurofibromatosis Type I,Neurofibromatosis, Peripheral Type,Neurofibromatosis, Peripheral, NF 1,Neurofibromatosis, Peripheral, NF1,Neurofibromatosis, Type 1,Neurofibromatosis, Type I,Pulmonic Stenosis with Cafe-au-Lait Spots,Recklinghausen Disease, Nerve,Recklinghausen's Disease of Nerve,Recklinghausens Disease of Nerve,Watson Syndrome,von Recklinghausen's Disease,Cafe au Lait Spots with Pulmonic Stenosis,Neurofibromatoses, Peripheral,Neurofibromatoses, Type I,Neurofibromatosis, Peripheral,Peripheral Neurofibromatoses,Pulmonic Stenosis with Cafe au Lait Spots,Syndrome, Watson,Type 1 Neurofibromatosis,Type 1, Neurofibromatosis,Type I Neurofibromatoses,Type I, Neurofibromatosis,von Recklinghausens Disease
D010236	Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal	A relatively rare, usually benign neoplasm originating in the chemoreceptor tissue of the CAROTID BODY; GLOMUS JUGULARE; GLOMUS TYMPANICUM; AORTIC BODIES; and the female genital tract. It consists histologically of rounded or ovoid hyperchromatic cells that tend to be grouped in an alveolus-like pattern within a scant to moderate amount of fibrous stroma and a few large thin-walled vascular channels. (From Stedman, 27th ed)	Chemodectoma,Paraganglioma, Nonchromaffin,Chemodectomas,Paraganglioma, Non-Chromaffin,Paragangliomas, Familial Nonchromaffin, 1,Extra-Adrenal Paraganglioma,Extra-Adrenal Paragangliomas,Non-Chromaffin Paraganglioma,Non-Chromaffin Paragangliomas,Nonchromaffin Paraganglioma,Nonchromaffin Paragangliomas,Paraganglioma, Extra Adrenal,Paraganglioma, Non Chromaffin,Paragangliomas, Extra-Adrenal,Paragangliomas, Non-Chromaffin,Paragangliomas, Nonchromaffin
D010641	Phenotype	The outward appearance of the individual. It is the product of interactions between genes, and between the GENOTYPE and the environment.	Phenotypes
D010673	Pheochromocytoma	A usually benign, well-encapsulated, lobular, vascular tumor of chromaffin tissue of the ADRENAL MEDULLA or sympathetic paraganglia. The cardinal symptom, reflecting the increased secretion of EPINEPHRINE and NOREPINEPHRINE, is HYPERTENSION, which may be persistent or intermittent. During severe attacks, there may be HEADACHE; SWEATING, palpitation, apprehension, TREMOR; PALLOR or FLUSHING of the face, NAUSEA and VOMITING, pain in the CHEST and ABDOMEN, and paresthesias of the extremities. The incidence of malignancy is as low as 5% but the pathologic distinction between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas is not clear. (Dorland, 27th ed; DeVita Jr et al., Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology, 3d ed, p1298)	Pheochromocytoma, Extra-Adrenal,Extra-Adrenal Pheochromocytoma,Extra-Adrenal Pheochromocytomas,Pheochromocytoma, Extra Adrenal,Pheochromocytomas,Pheochromocytomas, Extra-Adrenal
D004252	DNA Mutational Analysis	Biochemical identification of mutational changes in a nucleotide sequence.	Mutational Analysis, DNA,Analysis, DNA Mutational,Analyses, DNA Mutational,DNA Mutational Analyses,Mutational Analyses, DNA
D005260	Female		Females
D006623	von Hippel-Lindau Disease	An autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in a tumor suppressor gene. This syndrome is characterized by abnormal growth of small blood vessels leading to a host of neoplasms. They include HEMANGIOBLASTOMA in the RETINA; CEREBELLUM; and SPINAL CORD; PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA; pancreatic tumors; and renal cell carcinoma (see CARCINOMA, RENAL CELL). Common clinical signs include HYPERTENSION and neurological dysfunctions.	Cerebelloretinal Angiomatosis, Familial,Lindau Disease,Angiomatosis Retinae,Familial Cerebello-Retinal Angiomatosis,Hippel-Lindau Disease,Lindau's Disease,VHL Syndrome,von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome,Angiomatoses, Familial Cerebello-Retinal,Angiomatoses, Familial Cerebelloretinal,Angiomatosis, Familial Cerebello-Retinal,Angiomatosis, Familial Cerebelloretinal,Cerebello-Retinal Angiomatoses, Familial,Cerebello-Retinal Angiomatosis, Familial,Cerebelloretinal Angiomatoses, Familial,Familial Cerebello Retinal Angiomatosis,Familial Cerebello-Retinal Angiomatoses,Familial Cerebelloretinal Angiomatoses,Familial Cerebelloretinal Angiomatosis,Hippel Lindau Disease,Lindau's Diseases,Lindaus Disease,VHL Syndromes,von Hippel Lindau Disease,von Hippel Lindau Syndrome
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man