BACKGROUND

Pheochromocytoma and/or paraganglioma associated with neurofibromatosis type 1, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A, and von Hippel-Lindau disease have different catecholamine biochemical phenotypes. We examined perioperative outcomes of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma resection in 3 syndromic forms.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients undergoing resection of syndromic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma from 2000 through 2016.

RESULTS

Eighty-one patients underwent pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma resection (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A, n = 36; neurofibromatosis type 1, n = 26; von Hippel-Lindau disease, n = 19). Tumor size differed across groups; patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 and von Hippel-Lindau disease had the largest tumors (P = .017). Larger tumor volumes correlated with higher urine 24-hour total metanephrine (r = 0.94, P < .001; r = 0.67, P = .033; and r = 0.89, P < .001 for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A, von Hippel-Lindau disease, and neurofibromatosis type 1, respectively). High adrenergic secretion (24-hour urine metanepinephrine) was found in neurofibromatosis type 1 (median, 861 μg/24 h), similar to that found in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (median, 809 μg/24 h). The highest noradrenergic secretion (24-hour urine normetanephrine) occurred with von Hippel-Lindau disease (median, 4,598 μg/24 h), followed by neurofibromatosis type 1 and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (median, 1,607 and 923 μg/24 h, respectively). The highest graded complications occurred among patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (P = .036). However, when comparing postoperative outcomes across 3 groups in those who had laparoscopic resection, there was no significant difference (P = .955).

CONCLUSION

Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 had the most volatile intraoperative hemodynamic course and more severe postoperative complications. These complications are related to large tumors associated with abundant catecholamine secretion and the fact that a high proportion underwent open resection. Among only patients who underwent laparoscopic procedures, there were no differences in postoperative outcomes across syndromic groups.