Pheochromocytoma of the pancreas: A report of three cases and a literature review

Metastatic pheochromocytoma to the pancreas diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration: A case report and review of literature

Pancreatic pheochromocytomas are rare and typically diagnosed by local resection. We present the first reported case of metastatic pheochromocytoma to the pancreas diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and cytology. A 67-year-old female presented with 2 to 3 months of abdominal pain. A CT scan showed a large mass in the head of the pancreas engulfing the superior mesentery artery and vein, along with a large mass in the left adrenal gland. An EUS-FNA was performed on the pancreatic mass with a 22-gauge needle, yielding an adequate sample. Papanicolaou stain, Diff-Quik, and cell block showed loosely cohesive clustered tumor cells and singly dispersed pleomorphic naked tumor nuclei with anisonucleosis and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Tumor cells stained positive for synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and CD56 and negative for CK AE1/3 and CK AE1/3-CAM5.2 cytokeratin cocktail. Because of cytokeratin negativity, diffusely positive neuroendocrine markers, and the presence of an adrenal mass, a metastatic malignant pheochromocytoma was suspected. Additional testing showed elevations in plasma metanephrines and normetanephrines, urine metanephrine-to-creatinine and normetanephrine-to-creatinine ratios, and serum chromogranin A. An iodine¹²³ -metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan was obtained, which showed significantly increased MIBG uptake in the left adrenal lesion. A diagnosis of metastatic malignant pheochromocytoma was made. Surgical oncology was consulted, who recommended against resection of the adrenal mass in favor of outpatient management. Metastatic pheochromocytoma to the pancreas are rare tumors that may yield diagnostic material by EUS-FNA with a 22-gauge needle.