Distinct expression of galectin-3 in pheochromocytomas

Unless distant metastases or local invasion are present, the diagnosis of malignant pheochromocytoma is challenging. Hence, biological markers are sought after and we thought to examine galectin-3 in such a role. Four malignant and 24 benign (10 sporadic, 14 hereditary) pheochromocytomas were analyzed for the expression of galectin-3. One malignant pheochromocytoma with distant metastases showed strong and one malignant undifferentiated pheochromocytoma with local invasion showed partly strong cytoplasmic staining. Nine of 10 sporadic and all hereditary benign pheochromocytomas had absent/weak staining. One benign sporadic pheochromocytoma had moderate cytoplasmic staining. The distinct expression in various types of pheochromocytomas is intriguing and requires further investigation.