Progress in the diagnosis and treatment of paraganglioma.

Neuroendocrine tumors derived from the adrenal medulla and the adrenal gland are called pheochromocytoma (PHEO) and paraganglioma (PGL), respectively. PGLs are neuroepithelial cell clusters associated with sympathetic or parasympathetic nerves, and are scattered throughout the body. According to the World Health Organization, the presence of distant metastases indicates malignant PGL. Most PGLs are benign, but their high secretion of catecholamines in the blood is associated with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and death. Further research on PGL is required to provide a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. This article reviews the genetics, clinical manifestations, benign and malignant forms, current major diagnostic methods, and progress in the treatment of PGL. 2019 Translational Cancer Research. All rights reserved.

Overview

In 1912, Pick suggested that pheochromocytoma (PHEO) in the adrenal gland be called PHEO, and that extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma be called paraganglioma (PGL). PHEO and PGL (denoted together as PPGL) are catecholamine-producing tumors derived from embryonic neural crest chromoplasts. According to the World Health Organization classification guidelines for endocrine tumors (1), PHEO originates in the adrenal medulla, while PGL originates in the adrenal gland and is located in the abdomen (most commonly), chest, pelvis, and neck. Recent studies have shown that PGLs are abnormal tissues composed of tumor blood vessels and nerve cells that are derived from pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells or progenitor cells. This view is consistent with the origin of the paraganglial neural crest (2). PGL is rare, with an annual incidence rate of 1/300,000 (3), and accounts for only 10–15% of all PPGL. In recent years, there has been an increase in reports in China, most of which is approximately 20% (4). PGL is clinically divided into two types, depending on the presence or absence of secretory functions. Functional PGL can secrete catecholamines and displays typical symptoms of sympathetic-adrenal medullary system excitement, while non-functional PGL contains mostly mass or image performance space-occupying lesions. There are also reports where spontaneous ruptures of non-functional PGL tumors caused by abdominal hemorrhage are the main clinical manifestations (5). PGL, which is distributed in the head and neck and along the cranial nerve, is derived from the parasympathetic ganglia and does not produce catecholamines. In terms of distribution, 71% of PGL is found in the para-aortic plexus, 9.8% in the bladder wall, 12% in the thoracic cavity, and 7.2% in other locations, such as the gallbladder, uterus, and sigmoid colon (6). PGL of the plexus located next to the retroperitoneal abdominal aorta can appear from the upper abdomen to the bottom of the pelvis; these stem primarily from the organ of Zuckerkandl.

The genetics of PPGL

Approximately one-third of patients with PPGL have genetic mutations (7). These include patients with classical tumor syndromes, hereditary PGL syndrome, and mutations in additional susceptibility genes. Classical tumor syndromes include neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), found in approximately 5% of patients with PPGL (8); multiple endocrine tumor type 2 (MEN2), which has a very strong genotype-phenotype correlation, such that patients with types MEN2A and MEN2B with ret protooncogene (RET) 630 or 634 point mutations should be screened for PPGL at age 8 (9); and von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, which is caused by VHL mutations and requires PPGL screening starting at age 5 (10). Hereditary PGL syndrome is caused by mutations in the four genes encoding subunits of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). SDHB is the most commonly mutated subunit (9), and alterations in SDHB are independently correlated with high mortality in patients with PPGL (11). The syndrome can also be caused by mutations in the MYC-associated protein X (MAX) and transmembrane protein 127 (TMEM127) genes. Hereditary PGL syndrome accounts for <2% of PPGL (12,13). PPGL can also be caused by mutations in additional susceptibility genes, such as fumarate hydratase and malate dehydrogenase, components of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (14-16). The different genetic mutations result in PPGL with different clinical features (). The 2014 US Clinical Endocrine Guidelines recommend genetic testing for all PPGL patients (20) and screening of family members, as the results have important implications for diagnosis and prognosis. For example, SDHB mutations are associated with increased risk of malignant PPGL, and their early identification is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment (17).

Table 1

Common characteristics of genetic mutation-associated PPGL

Type	Gene mutation	Inheritance mode	Catecholamine type	PHEO	PGL	Malignancy risk
MEN2	RET 10q11.2	AD	E	Both sides affected 50−80%	Rare	<5%
VHL	3p25.5	AD	NE	Both sides affected 10−20%	Usually multifocal, more common in the abdomen and chest	<10%
NF1	17q11.2	AD	E, NE	Unilateral disease <5%	Rare	<10%
Hereditary paraganglioma syndrome	SDHB 1p36.13	AD	NE and/or DA	Unilateral disease	Usually unifocal in the abdomen or chest	34–70%
	SDHD 11q23	Maternal imprinting	NE and/or DA	Unilateral or bilateral disease	Multiple lesions, often in the head and neck	<5%
	TMEM127	<20% have a family history	E	Unilateral	More common in the head and neck	Low
	MAX	Frequent	E, NE	Commonly bilateral	Rare

Data from Bholah et al. (17), Havekes et al. (18), and Adler et al. (19). AD, autosomal dominant inheritance; DA, dopamine; E, epinephrine; NE, norepinephrine; MEN, multiple endocrine tumors; PGL, paraganglioma; PHEO, pheochromocytoma; RET, ret proto-oncogene; VHL, von-Hippel-Lindau syndrome; NF, neurofibromatosis; SDHB, succinate dehydrogenase B; SDHD, succinate dehydrogenase D; TMEM127, transmembrane protein 127; MAX, MYC related protein X.

PGL diagnosis

Clinical manifestations

The clinical manifestations of PGL are generally related to the location of the tumor and the concentration of catecholamines secreted by it, but the general symptoms include a painless mass that grows slowly, and in functional PGL, excessive catecholamine secretion causes additional symptoms, such as paroxysmal hypertension, hyperglycemia, palpitations, dizziness, headaches, excessive sweating and fatigue, polyuria, polydipsia, nausea, fever, and flushing as rare symptoms (21) (the physiological mechanisms of these symptoms are summarized in ). In children, symptoms can be atypical, but syncope, anxiety or panic attacks, abdominal pain, diarrhea, tremors, and weight loss often occur.

Figure 1

Partial physiological mechanisms of epinephrine and norepinephrine. E, epinephrine; NE, norepinephrine; RAAS, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Up and down arrows represent increases and decreases, respectively.

There are many types of PGL, and the clinical manifestations are more diverse than for PHEO. Different disease sites can lead to different clinical manifestations, which can provide clues for the discovery of extra-adrenal occupancy. Retroperitoneal PGL often causes abdominal and lower back pain and may be associated with constipation, and the mass can often be felt during examination. Due to its position, bladder PGL is easily squeezed during urination, which can cause bursts of catecholamine release (22), headache, syncope, palpitations, blurred vision, sweating, or hypertensive episodes during urination. Symptoms can also occur during bladder filling, abdominal palpation, defecation, and sexual intercourse. Painless hematuria is experienced by 50–65% of patients, and 65–80% report persistent hypertension upon urination, bladder filling, or bladder palpation. Increased blood pressure is a special diagnostic feature of bladder PGL (23). PGL of the bladder is rare, and the variability of symptoms often results in its misdiagnosis and mistreatment, which is risky and life-threatening because of its inherently malignant nature (24) and susceptibility to cardiovascular events (25). Pelvic PGL is often accompanied by urinary incontinence, as well as other systemic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, weight loss, hypotension, blurred vision, and anxiety (9). Compared with PHEO, PGL has a variety of clinical manifestations and a higher malignancy rate. It is essential to improve our understanding of PGL to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment (26).

Laboratory examination

Biochemical tests are usually performed prior to imaging studies. For functional PGL, catecholamine metabolites (vanillylmandelic acid, homovanillic acid, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) can be detected by 24-hour urine collection, or directly in the blood. The presence of 3-methoxytyrosine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Numerous studies have shown that epinephrine detection in the plasma or urine is superior the detection of other catecholamines (21). Despite the high sensitivity and specificity of plasma testing, 24-hour urine epinephrine testing has a sensitivity of up to 97% and a specificity of 91%, and has been used as an alternative (20). However, urine detection is susceptible to interference by drugs, including acetaminophen, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, α- and β-adrenergic blockers, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, leading to false positive results. These drugs should be discontinued 10–14 days before the test (20). When urine collection is performed, urine creatinine detection should be included to verify the accuracy of the collection. Normal creatinine excretion varies with the age and sex of the patient, but is approximately 10–25 mg·kg−1·d−1 (27). Studies have shown that plasma epinephrine levels are higher when the patient is in a sitting position, up to twice the levels observed in a supine position. Therefore, test results should be evaluated according to the position (sitting or supine) of the patient during blood collection (20), and beforehand, patients should rest for at least 30 minutes. The genetic tests recommended for PGL depend on the metabolic characteristics of the detected catecholamines and the results of biochemical tests. When the catecholamines are mainly 3-methoxytyrosine, SDHB, SDHD, and SDHC are typically analyzed; when norepinephrine predominates, SDHB, SDHD, SDHC, MAX, and VHL are tested (20,28).

Imaging PPGL

Imaging occurs after biochemical examination, and typically computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging scans are performed. Both detect PPGL with high sensitivity, and can detect tumors >5 mm. To avoid X-ray exposure, MRI is preferred for children. Functional imaging is suitable for sporadic lesions that are highly suspected to be PPGL, if biochemical tests cannot be determined, and for PPGL multifocal assessment and metastasis exclusion (29). Several examination methods are used, such as iodobenzyl hydrazine (MIBG) imaging, octreotide (TOC) imaging, and radionuclide scanning.

MIBG imaging

MIBG has a structure similar to norepinephrine, enabling it to enter cells via norepinephrine transporters. Both 123I- and 131I-MIBG can be used for imaging; however, 123I-MIBG permits a shorter time interval between injection and image acquisition and is more sensitive to PPGL tissues, with a higher detection rate (30-33). Traditionally, 123I-MIBG is thought to be more sensitive to PPGL than CT, but the latest study (34) reported a PPGL detection rate of 89.4% by CT or MRI, 87.1% by 123I-MIBG, and 88.8% by CT or MRI combined with 123I-MIBG, and concluded that combining CT or MRI with 123I-MIBG does not improve the detection rate. The Clinical Practice Guidelines 3 of the Endocrine Society recommend the use of 123I-MIBG scanning to identify metastatic disease and assess the effectiveness of 131I-MIBG treatment; for uni- or multifocal extra-adrenal tumors; for recurrent PPGL; and for PPGL with diameter >6 cm or a genetic mutation that increases the risk of metastasis. Other tracers include 124I-MIBG, which has been used in 124I-MIBG-positron emission tomography (PET)/MRI scans in patients with metastatic PPGL, and can more accurately determine tumor volume, providing guidance on the required dosage of subsequent 131I-MIBG treatment (35). However, MIBG examination has limitations. For example, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, and antihypertensives like labetalol can affect MIBG intake, increasing the likelihood of false negative results (36,37). Studies have identified false negative results in adrenal tumors with SDHB mutations (36,38). A strong advantage of MIBG examination is the ability to locate multifocal and metastatic PPGL. It also provides better diagnostic value for non-functional PGL.

TOC imaging

PPGL can also be imaged using the radiotracer TOC in somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-specific receptor-tumor imaging. SSTR 1A-type receptors have the highest affinity and are used for endocrine tumor localization staging to help determine the therapeutic effects of somatostatin. For the inspection of PHEO, MIBG dominates; for PGL, TOC predominates; the techniques can also complement each other. It has been suggested that patients with clinical symptoms of PPGL who are negative for the disease by MIBG should be further examined by TOC (39). Recently reported novel somatostatin analogues labeled with 99m (99Tc-HYNIC TOC and 99mTc-HYNIC-TATE) have higher affinity for SSTRs, enabling increased imaging quality with decreased radiation (40).

18F-deoxyglucose (FDG) PET examination

Pacak et al. (41) reported that the tumors of patients with PHEO can be displayed and correctly positioned by PET examination. FDG-PET is less specific than MIBG (42) and nonspecific to PPGL, so the interpretation of scan results should be combined with symptom characteristics and other laboratory tests (30). However, FDG-PET is more valuable for patients with SDHA/B/C/D mutations or metastases (42-44), and is complementary to MIBG, reducing the probability of false negatives. Other tracers include fluorodopa (FDOPA), a fluorinated catecholamine precursor that binds amino acid transporters to detect tumor tissues (31,32). Because normal adrenal tissue does not take up FDOPA, it is highly specific to PHEO (95–100%) and is superior to other radiopharmaceuticals (29). FDOPA-PET is extremely sensitive to head and neck PGL and can identify small tumors that may be missed by other tests (45,46). FDOPA has been used as a tracer, and false positive results are very rare (47). The latest tracers use 68Ga-labeled somatostatin analogues to bind to subtype 2 SSTRs, which are overexpressed in PPGL (29), and detect metastatic PPGL with good results. There is also a specific tracer for PPGL tissue, 18F-fluorodopamine, which binds to the norepinephrine transporter with higher affinity than MIBG (31,32), and is more sensitive to PPGL than MIBG and TOC (48-50). Radionuclide scanning is of great value in the differential diagnosis of primary abdominal tumors (41,48-50); combined with MRI or CT, it can accurately locate the metastases of malignant PPGL, which is crucial for effective clinical treatment (51).

CT and MRI

PGL can occur throughout the body, from the skull base to the pelvic paraspinal plexus, and by CT and MRI, it appears as a soft tissue mass with either clear or unclear boundaries. Benign tumors are mostly round, and borderline and malignant tumors are mostly lobulated or irregular with an incomplete or absent capsule, allowing invasion of adjacent blood vessels and tissues. The CT arterial phase is moderately-obviously enhanced, and the parenchymal phase is significantly enhanced. The degree of enhancement in the delayed phase is slightly reduced. Smaller lesions are evenly enhanced, while larger ones are intensified; this is characteristic of PGL (52). By MRI examination, T1 weighted images (WIs) display low signals, as the tumor does not contain fat, so the signal intensity on antiphase T1WIs is not attenuated. T2WIs display mainly high signals and obvious scanning enhancement, indicating a rich tumor blood supply and large numbers of sinusoids associated with cell clusters (39,53). MRI is superior to CT in displaying the internal structure of PGL, its blood supply characteristics, and its relationship with surrounding tissues (52).

Evaluation of PGL malignancy

Benign and malignant PGL cannot be distinguished by tissue morphology, cancer cell pleomorphism, or deep staining. If tumor cells have widely invaded the capsule or tissue and organ metastasis is present, PGL is diagnosed as malignant. Studies have found a greater possibility of malignancy if telomerase activity is significantly increased (54), if the tumor diameter is >4–5 cm, if the tumor secretes methoxytyramine, or if it contains germline SDHB mutations (55). A quarter of PPGL is malignant (including 10% of PHEO and 20% of PGL), and distant metastasis occurs mainly in the liver, lungs, and bones. The 5-year overall survival rate is 50% (56), making it important to be able to predict malignancy. In 2002, the adrenal pheochromocytoma pathological score (PASS) was developed to predict the malignant potential of these tumors. It grades features such as histological type, cell differentiation characteristics, and mitotic figures, and the higher the score, the higher the possibility of malignancy (57). However, it can result in large subjective differences between observers, and is currently not widely used. The grading system for adrenal pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (GAPP) is based on the classification of tumors, cell differentiation, necrosis, the presence or absence of blood vessel invasion, the proliferative index, and catecholamine secretion. GAPP analysis of 163 cases of PPGL resulted in scores of 5.33±0.43 and 2.08±0.17 for malignant and benign PPGL, respectively (58); however, in a recent study (59), the GAPP score was insufficient to distinguish between malignant and non-metastatic cases. The newly designed complex pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma prognosis score (COPPS) integrates gross pathology, histopathology criteria, and immunohistochemical markers (PS100, SDHB). When COPPS scoring was used to predict PPGL metastasis and progression risk, statistical analysis indicated that it was more sensitive than the PASS system (60), but more clinical tests should be performed to verify its reliability. Although these features can suggest the possibility of malignancy, recurrence, and extensive infiltration of adjacent organs, distant organ metastasis remains the most reliable basis for the diagnosis of malignancy (61).

Treatment

Surgery

Surgery is the main treatment for PGL and can be curative for primary, recurrent, and localized metastatic tumors. It can also be used as a cytoreductive method in patients with metastases (36). Laparoscopic surgery can achieve the same therapeutic effect as open surgery (62) and was even better in a recent retrospective study comparing the efficacy of laparoscopic and open surgery in metastatic PPGL, with a 44.4% cure rate for laparoscopic surgery compared to 29.3% for open surgery (P=0.35) (63). While intraoperative stimulation can lead to a large release of catecholamines, resulting in increased risk of hypertensive crisis, arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, pulmonary edema, and stroke (64), with successful surgery mortality is significantly improved, and good preoperative management can reduce perioperative risk. Due to deficiencies in medical management, reported perioperative mortality rates for PPGL have been as high as 30–45%, but with increased understanding, the current mortality rate is significantly lower (0–2.9%) (65). It is important that blood pressure is controlled in patients with hypertension prior to surgery. The purpose of this is twofold: to avoid blood pressure fluctuations during anesthesia and surgical procedures, and to prevent postoperative hypotension caused by the immediate reduction of catecholamine load after tumor resection (20). This is achieved by preoperative use of α-adrenergic receptor blockers and expansion therapy, followed by β-blockers to prevent blood pressure fluctuations.

Preoperative management

According to the guidelines of the Endocrine Society, antihypertensive expansion therapy is required at least 7–14 days before surgery (20). Adult blood pressure should be <130/80 mmHg with a heart rate <80 bpm; children’s blood pressure should be < the 95th percentile for their age, sex, and height (7,20). For adults, systolic blood pressure should not be <90 mmHg. Excessive secretion of catecholamines leads to a decrease in blood volume and the use of α-adrenergic receptor blockers can cause orthostatic hypotension, so blood pressure should be closely monitored during blood pressure control (7), and at the same time, expansion treatment, including liquid intake >1.5 times normal amounts and increased salt intake (66), should be performed to expand the vascular content and avoid pre- or postoperative hypotension. Excessive secretion of catecholamines also causes a hyperactive metabolism, which can lead to weight loss, and increased nutrient intake before surgery can mitigate this.

Currently, no randomized prospective trials evaluating the efficacy of different controlled blood pressure regimens during the perioperative period exist, and there is a lack of consensus on drug selection (1). Options include α-adrenergic receptor blockers (phenoxybenzamine or doxazosin), calcium channel blockers (amlodipine or nifedipine), tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitors (α-methyl tyrosine), and α- and β-blockers (labetalol) (19). Current guidelines and retrospective studies have shown that patients with symptoms indicating excessive catecholamine secretion should be treated preoperatively with selective (doxazosin, prazosin, or terazosin) or non-selective (phenoxybenzamine) α-adrenergic receptor blockers for antihypertensive therapy () (67). Phenoxybenzamine is the most commonly used drug, with a half-life of 24 hours and a low initial dose; prazosin has a much shorter half-life (2–3 hours) and a low risk of postoperative hypotension (68). There are currently no randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of non-selective and selective α-adrenergic blockers. After blood pressure control and expansion therapy, β-blockade should be performed to prevent arrhythmia caused by drug-induced reflex tachycardia and excessive catecholamine secretion; β-blockers should not be used prior to α-adrenergic receptor blockers, because they can activate catecholamine secretion, cause vasoconstriction, and trigger hypertensive crisis (19).

Table 2

Blood pressure-lowering drugs commonly used in patients with PPGL

Mechanism	Medicine	Dosage	Side effects
Non-selective α-receptor blocker	Phenoxybenzamine	Start 0.2 mg·kg−1·d−1, increase 0.2 mg·kg−1·d−1 every 4 d, target amount: 0.4–1.2 mg·kg−1·d−1 (6–8 h, 3–4 times), maximum amount: 2–4 mg·kg−1·d−1 (60 mg/d)	Orthostatic hypotension; nasal congestion; reflex tachycardia
α1-receptor blocker	Doxazosin	Start 1–2 mg/d, increase to 2–4 mg/d, target amount: 2–4 mg/d (8–12 h, 2–3 times), maximum amount: 4–16 mg/d	Orthostatic hypotension; dizziness
	Prazosin	0.05–0.1 mg·kg−1·d−1 (8 h, 3 times), maximum amount: 0.5 mg·kg−1·d−1 (20 mg/d)
	Terazosin	Start 1 mg/d, increase by 1–4 mg/d, maximum amount: 20 mg/d

Data from Bholah et al. (17) and Fishbein et al. (28).

Intraoperative and postoperative management

Although preoperative blood pressure lowering and expansion therapy can prevent blood pressure fluctuations caused by rapid increases in catecholamine load during surgery, continuous intraoperative monitoring of blood pressure by arterial catheter is still required, to help the anesthesiologists control blood pressure (69). Intraoperative hypertension can be controlled with short-acting intravenous drugs such as sodium nitroprusside or esmolol (66). During the operation, hypotension occurs, and crystalloid or colloidal fluid can be administered to maintain blood pressure. An appropriate amount of vasopressin can also be used. Esmolol or labetalol can be used to treat tachyarrhythmia. Gentle handling during surgery can help prevent hypertensive crisis caused by sudden catecholamine release.

Fluid replacement should begin immediately after surgery, to prevent postoperative hypotension due to the sudden drop in catecholamine levels in the circulation (67). The dramatic reduction in catecholamines can result in reactive hyperinsulinemia leading to hypoglycemia, so blood glucose should be monitored and hypoglycemia should be corrected. Plasma catecholamines should be monitored 4–8 weeks after surgery to ensure successful removal of all tumor tissues (9). At present, there is no clear method to pathologically distinguish between benign and malignant tumors, so patients should undergo close clinical follow-up after surgery, at least once a year (67,70).

Radiation therapy

Since the beginning of the 21st century, extracorporeal radiation (EBRT) has been increasingly used in PGL treatment. For patients with advanced or unresectable metastatic PGL, radiation therapy can effectively improve symptoms and control tumor growth (71,72). While surgery remains the main treatment option for malignant PGL of the head and neck, Joynt has asserted that for lesions mainly localized to the carotid artery, tympanic membrane, or vagus nerve, external irradiation and stereotactic radiotherapy have better therapeutic effects, and in very precise conditions can reduce the occurrence of long-term complications (73). In a recent retrospective study of radiation therapy use in patients with metastatic PPGL, higher radiation doses were associated with lower risk of tumor recurrence (RR =0.94, P=0.004), with 62–91% of lesions locally controlled, and 94% of patients displaying dose-dependent symptom improvement (74). However, the use of EBRT in the treatment of metastatic PPGL is controversial. Malignant PGL is difficult to completely resect, and relapse can easily occur. Local radiotherapy after recurrence can control tumor growth, but it is unclear whether postoperative radiotherapy can reduce tumor recurrence. The effects of radiotherapy and the optimal ranges and doses require further study.

Non-surgical interventions

Interventional radiology techniques for local non-surgical treatment of metastatic PGL include radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryoablation (CRYO), and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI). Kohlenberg et al. retrospectively studied patients 17 years and older with metastatic PPGL who underwent ablation at the Mayo Clinic in the US between June 14, 1999 and November 14, 2017. During this period, 31 patients with PPGL underwent RFA 42 times, CRYO 23 times, and PEI 4 times, eliminating 123 lesions. Localized control was achieved for 86% of lesions, suggesting that for patients with metastatic PPGL, ablation treatment can effectively achieve local control and symptom relief (75). Tumors may release catecholamine during ablation, and blood pressure and heart rate should be closely monitored during surgery to reduce the risk of hypertensive crisis during surgery.

Chemotherapy

For patients with nonresectable, quickly progressing metastatic PPGL, systemic chemotherapy can help alleviate clinical symptoms, reduce or stop tumor growth, and reduce tumor volume. There is no standard chemotherapy regimen to treat metastatic PGL, and at present, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and dacarbazine (CVD) are frequently used. Tumor response usually occurs after 2–4 cycles of CVD treatment. The most common toxic reactions are myelosuppression, peripheral neuropathy, and gastrointestinal toxicity. For patients with severe side effects, the medication can be stopped or treatment durations can be reduced (76). In a retrospective study of 23 patients with metastatic PPGL treated with CVD, 1 patient had complete remission, 5 had partial remission, 5 had stable disease, and 12 had progression (77). Another 22-year follow-up study of 18 patients treated with CVD found that 11% of patients had complete remission and 44% had partial remission, but that the overall survival rates of patients who responded to CVD and those who did not were not significantly different, suggesting that the main benefit of CVD therapy is to improve symptoms (78). A recent study of 23 patients with PPGL who underwent at least one cycle of CVD reported that the 11 patients with SDHB mutations had a longer median progression-free survival than the 12 patients without SDHB mutations (23.7 vs. 5.2 months, P=0.001). This suggests that CVD could have significant therapeutic effects on specific patients (79). Other chemotherapeutic drugs have been used in the treatment of PPGL, such as temozolomide, streptozotocin, and ifosfamide; however, there are no large case reports to confirm and support these treatment options. Standard chemotherapy regimens for metastatic PPGL should continue to be discussed in depth and undergo extensive clinical evaluation.

131I-MIBG treatment

MIBG is transported into the cell via the norepinephrine transporter, and ionizing radiation supplied by decaying 131I radionuclides causes cell death. A retrospective analysis of the efficacy of 131I-MIBG in the treatment of metastatic PPGL showed complete response in 3% of patients and partial response in 27% (80). Blood toxicity is the most common side effect, with neutral granule cytopenia occurring and thrombocytopenia occurring in approximately 87% and 83% of patients, respectively. Free iodine accumulates in the thyroid during MIBG treatment, so potassium iodide is required to prevent thyroiditis or hypothyroidism before and after treatment, and thyroid stimulating hormone levels should be regularly monitored. MIBG is metabolized by the kidneys, so it should be used with caution in patients with renal insufficiency, and renal function should be monitored to prevent kidney damage.

Molecular targeted therapies

Sunitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks angiogenesis by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor. In vitro studies have found that sunitinib can induce apoptosis in rat PHEO cells and reduce the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, directly inhibiting catecholamine synthesis (37). In a recent case report of a single epidemiological treatment of unresectable, SDHB-mutated, metastatic PGL with sunitinib, symptoms were controlled, and the tumor was partially reduced within 10 months and progressed slowly for the next 12 months (81). Other tyrosinase inhibitors include pazopanib, axitinib, and cabozantinib. However, the effectiveness and safety of these molecular targeted therapies require further study.

Other treatments

Interferon therapy was described in a single-center retrospective study and 14 patients with metastatic PPGL were evaluated. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 17.2 months and 7.5 years, respectively, and 3 patients were partially relieved, 9 had stable disease, and 2 had disease progression (82). Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is also an option, but whether it can effectively treat metastatic PPGL requires further clinical evaluation.

Summary

PGL is a relatively rare tumor type, and its diagnosis depends on the recognition of typical clinical symptoms and effective auxiliary examination. Surgery is the main treatment, and patients require good perioperative management for risk reduction. With the application of new technologies and further improvements in the understanding of PGL pathogenesis, great progress has been made in this field in recent years. However, there is still no effective treatment for malignant PGL. In the future, increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms of PGL pathogenesis may lead to more effective treatments, improving the prognosis and quality of life of patients.