GIANT PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA - CASE-REPORT

A case of giant phaeochromocytoma occurring in a 47-year-old man with no signs or symptoms of catecholamine secretion is reported. Abdominal ultrasound scanning, chest X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic re sonance imaging were preoperatively performed. The patient was operate d through a thoracoabdominal incision and section of the left hemidiap hragm. The giant retroperitoneal mass was en-bloc resected together wi th the left adrenal gland. Macroscopic sectioning showed a smoothly ro unded 29 x 21 x 12 cm tumour attached to a normal left adrenal gland, weighing 4050 gr. The huge size of the neoplasm, the several areas of necrosis, the size and monomorphic appearance of the cells, and the la rge number of mitotic figures afforded a diagnosis of malignant phaeoc hromocytoma.