Is paraganglioma considered cancer?

Paragangliomas are usually noncancerous (benign). But some paragangliomas can become cancerous (malignant) and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Paragangliomas are rare tumors.

What type of cancer is paraganglioma?

Paraganglioma is a type of neuroendocrine tumor that forms near certain blood vessels and nerves outside of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are important for making hormones that control many functions in the body and are located on top of the kidneys.

What percentage of paragangliomas are malignant?

Most pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas are benign. At least 10 percent of pheochromocytomas are malignant (as defined by the presence of metastases), while a larger proportion of paragangliomas (up to 25 percent) are malignant.

Is a paraganglioma serious?

Paraganglioma are found in 2 out of every million people each year and is the cause of high blood pressure in less than 0.2\% of people with high blood pressure. However, because paraganglioma release adrenaline in uncontrolled bursts, they can cause serious health problems like stroke, heart attacks, and even death.

Is paraganglioma cancer curable?

Paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare chromaffin cell tumors that can often be cured by resection. Although described for the first time in 1886 1, the diagnosis of PGL remains a challenge, because patients do not present with characteristic signs and symptoms.

How fast do paragangliomas grow?

14, 17 The variation in the growth rate of growing paragangliomas is remarkable; we estimated a Td between 0.6–21.5 years. This observation was made in malignant tumors as well and can be explained in part by the influence of tumor size on growth rate.

How fast do Paragangliomas grow?

How fast do pheochromocytomas grow?

Most people develop a pheochromocytoma in 1 adrenal gland. Some people develop a tumor in both glands. There can also be multiple tumors in a gland. Pheochromocytomas usually grow slowly.

Do paragangliomas come back?

People treated for a pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma need lifelong follow-up care. This is important because pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas can recur years after initial treatment. This care may include regular physical examinations, medical tests, or both.

What doctor treats paraganglioma?

A surgical oncologist is a doctor who specializes in cancer surgery. When it is possible, completely removing the entire tumor is the standard first treatment. For people with a head and neck paraganglioma that does not produce catecholamines, “watchful waiting” may be recommended instead.

Do paragangliomas cause pain?

Some of most common symptoms are pain, hoarseness, fainting (syncope), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), eye problems (Horner syndrome), and paralysis of the tongue. Cervical paragangliomas are slow-growing tumors that can cause palsy and spread into the skull base.

What percent of pheochromocytomas are malignant?