Metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma

Background Metastatic pheochromocytomas (PCs) and paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumours with a strong genetic background. Design We searched the PubMed database through February 2015 to identify studies characterizing metastatic PCs/PGLs as well as currently established and evolving therapies. Results Large size tumours (> 5 cm), PASS score > 6 and Ki-67 labelling index > 3% are the most robust indices of metastatic PCs/PGLs albeit with great variability. Germline succinate dehydrogenase complex, subunit B (SDHB) mutation constitutes the main reliable molecular predictor of malignancy. Plasma and urinary methoxytyramine are the biochemical markers characterizing metastatic PCs/PGLs along with evolving molecular markers such as miRNAs and SNAIL. Conventional imaging is used for tumour localization, whereas 18F-FDG-PET for staging of metastatic PCs/PGLs especially those related to SDHB gene mutations. In addition, 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT is emerging as a highly sensitive alternative. Surgery remains the gold standard treatment in reducing tumour bulk and/or controlling the clinical syndrome. Treatment with 131I-MIBG or radiolabelled somatostatin analogues is considered for unresectable disease. Conventional chemotherapy is reserved for more advanced and refractory to other therapies disease although new schemes are currently evolving. Recent genetic studies have highlighted a number of pathways involved in PCs/PGLs pathogenesis directing towards the use of targeted therapies which have still to be validated in clinical practice. Conclusions Metastatic PCs/PGLs remain an orphan disease that is only curable by surgery. However, advances in genomic analyses have improved the pathogenesis of these tumours and may lead to effective and more personalized treatments in the near future.