FAMILIAL PARAGANGLIOMA

Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are rare tumors of neural crest origin, most commonly found in the retroperitoneum. Becau se these tumors are so uncommon, relatively little is known about thei r natural history. Comparisons between adrenal pheochromocytomas and e xtra-adrenal pheochromocytomas have appeared in the medical literature . Like pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas may occur as functional or no nfunctional tumors. Furthermore, although the hereditary occurrence of pheochromocytomas is well documented, the familial nature of paragang liomas is unclear. We present the first report of a mother and son wit h nonfunctional paragangliomas occurring in the same anatomic location and describe their care and treatment.