Solid Tumour Section

Note Neuroendocrine tumours arise from neuroecto-dermal chromaffin tissue, usually develop within the adrenal medulla but could develop in extraadrenal sympathetic ganglia in 10 % of cases. Phaechromocytomas secrete catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine) in the circulation and could induce severe lethal cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. They are located in the abdomen and in the pelvis (adrenal medulla, organ of Zuckerkandl, urinary bladder, paraganglia chromaffin cells in association with nerves and plexus). In rare cases, they could develop in the mediastinum (chest, pericardium, thorax) or in the neck (carotid body) and in the head (glomus jugulare and tympanicum). Usually, the paragangliomas located in the neck and in the head are non functional.