A case of extraadrenal pheochromocytoma with papillary thyroid carcinoma

A 63-year-old housewife with a history of partial thyroidectomy was referred to our hospital because of a neck mass and abdominal tumor. Aspiration biopsy of the neck tumor revealed the recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen and urinary and plasma catecholamine levels indicated that the tumor beside the abdominal aorta was an extraadrenal pheochromocytoma. Two tumors were excised and histologic studies confirmed the diagnosis. So far two cases of extraadrenal pheochromocytoma with papillary thyroid carcinoma have been reported. The present case indicates that the presence of papillary thyroid carcinoma should be considered in patients with extraadrenal pheochromocytoma.