112 sporadic and inherited pheochromocytomas: a comparative pathologic study

The aim of this study was to compare 64 genetically determined pheochromocy tomas (PPI) (49 MEN IIa, 3 MEN IIb, 6 Von Recklinghausen diseases, I von Hi ppel-Lindau disease 5 familial pheochromocytomas) and 48 sporadic PH. Genet ically determined PW were more often observed among men ann. more frequentl y bilateral and multicentric than sporadic PH. Sporadic tumors had more oft en adrenal capsular invasion necrosis and pseudocysts. Generically determin ed PH were more differentiated with an insular pattern, hyaline globules an d a higher percentage of polyedric cells. Sporadic tumors were less differe ntiated with more frequently a diffuse pattern and small cells. Adrenal med ullar hyperplasia was significantly associated with genetically determined PH. Adrenal cortical hyperplasia was not associated with a particular type of PH. The PS100 and chromogranin immunodetection was equivalent in both gr oups.