Extra-adrenal paraganglioma of prostate

Abstract

Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas, or paragangliomas are rare tumors that may develop from extra-adrenal chromaffin cells, and most occur in the organ of Zuckerkandl. Extra-adrenal paraganglioma of the prostate is extremely rare. Here, we report a 53-year-old man with hypertension and lower urinary tract symptoms, who was initially diagnosed as benign prostate hyperplasia. Computed tomography (CT) showed a large heterogenously enhancing mass in the prostate, imprinting the right distal ureter and urinary bladder. Before surgical intervention, CT-guided biopsy of the prostatic mass was performed and the result of histologic examination confirmed extra-adrenal paraganglioma. He underwent radical prostatectomy, partial cystectomy and right ureteroneocystostomy. The patient recovered and his blood pressure returned within normal range after surgical removal of the prostate tumor. In this article, we stressed that the rarity of prostatic paraganglioma, preoperative localization, and imaging-guided biopsy, which provided useful information for deciding further surgical strategy in such cases.