Malignant pheochromocytoma with multiple bone metastases: case report and literature review

Abstract

Abstract Background Pheochromocytomas are neuroendocrine tumors originating from the adrenal medulla, with an incidence of 2–9 cases per million people per year. Malignant pheochromocytomas account for approximately 10% of cases, and they can metastasize to the lymph nodes, bone, liver, and lungs. In this paper, we report a case of a patient with malignant pheochromocytes and multiple bone metastases. Case presentation We report a 63-year-old male patient who presented with multiple bone metastases 4 years after the first pheochromocytoma resection. The patient presented with low back pain, and outpatient CT suggested bone destruction and hypodense shadows in the left lamina and transverse process of L1. By reviewing the medical history, we found that the patient had a history of pheochromocytoma. The patient underwent further imaging and tissue biopsy. The patient's history and findings confirmed the presence of multiple bone metastases from pheochromocytoma. The patient underwent lumbar spine surgery and radiotherapy. Conclusions Patients with pheochromocytoma should be followed up for a long period for early diagnosis and treatment, which will help them to survive disease-free for a long time.