MedGen

Hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma (PGL/PCC) syndromes are characterized by paragangliomas (tumors that arise from neuroendocrine tissues distributed along the paravertebral axis from the base of the skull to the pelvis) and pheochromocytomas (paragangliomas that are confined to the adrenal medulla). Sympathetic paragangliomas cause catecholamine excess; parasympathetic paragangliomas are most often nonsecretory. Extra-adrenal parasympathetic paragangliomas are located predominantly in the skull base and neck (referred to as head and neck PGL [HNPGL]) and sometimes in the upper mediastinum; approximately 95% of such tumors are nonsecretory. In contrast, sympathetic extra-adrenal paragangliomas are generally confined to the lower mediastinum, abdomen, and pelvis, and are typically secretory. Pheochromocytomas, which arise from the adrenal medulla, typically lead to catecholamine excess. Symptoms of PGL/PCC result from either mass effects or catecholamine hypersecretion (e.g., sustained or paroxysmal elevations in blood pressure, headache, episodic profuse sweating, forceful palpitations, pallor, and apprehension or anxiety). The risk for developing metastatic disease is greater for extra-adrenal sympathetic paragangliomas than for pheochromocytomas. [from GeneReviews]

Hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma (PGL/PCC) syndromes are characterized by paragangliomas (tumors that arise from neuroendocrine tissues distributed along the paravertebral axis from the base of the skull to the pelvis) and pheochromocytomas (paragangliomas that are confined to the adrenal medulla). Sympathetic paragangliomas cause catecholamine excess; parasympathetic paragangliomas are most often nonsecretory. Extra-adrenal parasympathetic paragangliomas are located predominantly in the skull base and neck (referred to as head and neck PGL [HNPGL]) and sometimes in the upper mediastinum; approximately 95% of such tumors are nonsecretory. In contrast, sympathetic extra-adrenal paragangliomas are generally confined to the lower mediastinum, abdomen, and pelvis, and are typically secretory. Pheochromocytomas, which arise from the adrenal medulla, typically lead to catecholamine excess. Symptoms of PGL/PCC result from either mass effects or catecholamine hypersecretion (e.g., sustained or paroxysmal elevations in blood pressure, headache, episodic profuse sweating, forceful palpitations, pallor, and apprehension or anxiety). The risk for developing metastatic disease is greater for extra-adrenal sympathetic paragangliomas than for pheochromocytomas. [from GeneReviews]

Hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma (PGL/PCC) syndromes are characterized by paragangliomas (tumors that arise from neuroendocrine tissues distributed along the paravertebral axis from the base of the skull to the pelvis) and pheochromocytomas (paragangliomas that are confined to the adrenal medulla). Sympathetic paragangliomas cause catecholamine excess; parasympathetic paragangliomas are most often nonsecretory. Extra-adrenal parasympathetic paragangliomas are located predominantly in the skull base and neck (referred to as head and neck PGL [HNPGL]) and sometimes in the upper mediastinum; approximately 95% of such tumors are nonsecretory. In contrast, sympathetic extra-adrenal paragangliomas are generally confined to the lower mediastinum, abdomen, and pelvis, and are typically secretory. Pheochromocytomas, which arise from the adrenal medulla, typically lead to catecholamine excess. Symptoms of PGL/PCC result from either mass effects or catecholamine hypersecretion (e.g., sustained or paroxysmal elevations in blood pressure, headache, episodic profuse sweating, forceful palpitations, pallor, and apprehension or anxiety). The risk for developing metastatic disease is greater for extra-adrenal sympathetic paragangliomas than for pheochromocytomas. [from GeneReviews]

Hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma (PGL/PCC) syndromes are characterized by paragangliomas (tumors that arise from neuroendocrine tissues distributed along the paravertebral axis from the base of the skull to the pelvis) and pheochromocytomas (paragangliomas that are confined to the adrenal medulla). Sympathetic paragangliomas cause catecholamine excess; parasympathetic paragangliomas are most often nonsecretory. Extra-adrenal parasympathetic paragangliomas are located predominantly in the skull base and neck (referred to as head and neck PGL [HNPGL]) and sometimes in the upper mediastinum; approximately 95% of such tumors are nonsecretory. In contrast, sympathetic extra-adrenal paragangliomas are generally confined to the lower mediastinum, abdomen, and pelvis, and are typically secretory. Pheochromocytomas, which arise from the adrenal medulla, typically lead to catecholamine excess. Symptoms of PGL/PCC result from either mass effects or catecholamine hypersecretion (e.g., sustained or paroxysmal elevations in blood pressure, headache, episodic profuse sweating, forceful palpitations, pallor, and apprehension or anxiety). The risk for developing metastatic disease is greater for extra-adrenal sympathetic paragangliomas than for pheochromocytomas. [from GeneReviews]

Pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma syndrome-1 (PPGL1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the development of neuroendocrine tumors, usually in adulthood. Pheochromocytomas arise from chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla, whereas paragangliomas arise in extra-adrenal sympathetic ganglia in the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis or from parasympathetic paraganglia in the head and neck area (summary by Cascon et al., 2023). Paragangliomas, also referred to as 'glomus body tumors,' are tumors derived from paraganglia located throughout the body. Nonchromaffin types primarily serve as chemoreceptors (hence, the tumor name 'chemodectomas') and are located in the head and neck region (i.e., carotid body, jugular, vagal, and tympanic regions), whereas chromaffin types have endocrine activity, conventionally referred to as 'pheochromocytomas,' and are usually located below the head and neck (i.e., adrenal medulla and pre- and paravertebral thoracoabdominal regions). PPGL can manifest as nonchromaffin head and neck tumors only, adrenal and/or extraadrenal pheochromocytomas only, or a combination of the 2 types of tumors (Baysal, 2002; Neumann et al., 2004). The triad of gastric leiomyosarcoma, pulmonary chondroma, and extraadrenal paraganglioma constitutes a syndrome that occurs mainly in young women and is known as the Carney triad (604287). This triad is not to be confused with the other Carney syndrome of myxoma, spotty pigmentation, and endocrinopathy (160980). Baysal (2008) provided a review of the molecular pathogenesis of hereditary paraganglioma. Genetic Heterogeneity of Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma Syndrome See also PPGL2 (601650), caused by mutation in the SDHAF2 gene (613019) on chromosome 11q13; PPGL3 (605373), caused by mutation in the SDHC gene (602413) on chromosome 1q21; PPGL4 (115310), caused by mutation in the SDHB gene (185470) on chromosome 1p36; PPGL5 (614165), caused by mutation in the SDHA gene (600857) on chromosome 5p15; PPGL6 (618464), caused by mutation in the SLC25A11 gene (604165) on chromosome 17p13; and PPGL7 (618475), caused by mutation in the DLST gene (126063) on chromosome 14q24. [from OMIM]