Research Progress Of Identification Between Benign And Malignant Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma

Pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma is a rare neuroendocrine tumorwhich primarily secrete catecholamines. The manifestation ofpheochromocytoma/paraganglioma is various. Hypertension，headache，palpitation and sweating are the classic symptoms ofpheochromocytoma/paraganglioma. Surgery is the only methord to cure thedisease. The disease usually occurs as a benign tumor, but some havepotentially malignant characteristic. It is also important to underline thatrecurrence or metastasis may occur a long time after the first surgicaloperation. The process of identification between benign and malignantpheochromocytoma/paraganglioma is not dependent on traditionalpathological evidence. The malignant can been defined only when thetumour tissues is found at the nonchromaffin sites. There is a challenge fordoctors to distinguish between benign and malignant tumours in the earlierstage when patients can grasp the best time for treatment. In this review,wediscuss the recently researchs of identification between benign and malignant pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma from three aspects such asmanifestations, proteins and genes.