Pheochromocytoma in children

Pheochromocytoma originates from adrenal medulla, sympathetic ganglia, parasympathetic ganglia, or other parts of chromaffin tissue, so it can occur from the cervical sympathetic nerve chain to the pelvic region. These cells produce vasoactive amines. Epinephrine is produced only in tumors of the adrenal medulla and organs of Zuckerkandl, while ortho adrenaline is produced in tumors of the sympathetic nerve chain. Most children's pheochromocytomas are about 4 to 6 cm in surgery, and the section is brown to light brown. They are completely surrounded by compressed normal adrenal tissue, and there is bleeding or cystic necrosis. Microscopic examination is difficult to identify as benign or malignant, mainly based on the clinic, and if recurrence or metastasis is considered malignant. It is rarely malignant in children, but extraadrenal lesions are more common than adults, accounting for about 30%. Common sites are bifurcation of the aorta and para-aortic bodies. Most intraoperative and postoperative deaths were due to the absence of a second tumor. Another feature of pheochromocytoma in children is that there are more families inherited and multiple endocrine tumors.