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Retroperitonial liposarcoma mimicking pheochromocytoma.

S Trimeche Ajmi¹, H Marmouch, A Trabelsi

¹Department of Endocrinology, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia.

|May 30, 2009

Summary

A retroperitoneal liposarcoma mimicked pheochromocytoma in a patient with hypertension and hypokalemia. Surgical removal cured the symptoms, highlighting the importance of thorough pathological examination for rare tumor presentations.

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Area of Science:

Oncology
Endocrinology
Nephrology

Background:

Pheochromocytoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor that causes hypertension, headaches, and sweating.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and management of associated complications.

Observation:

A 46-year-old woman presented with paroxysmal hypertension, headaches, tachycardia, sweating, hypokalemia, and elevated metanephrines.
Imaging revealed a large retroperitoneal mass, initially suspected to be a pheochromocytoma.
The patient underwent surgical resection of the mass, left nephrectomy, and adrenalectomy.

Findings:

Pathologic examination revealed a well-differentiated liposarcoma, not a pheochromocytoma.
Tumor cells were immunonegative for chromogranin A.

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Post-surgery, catecholamine levels normalized, hypokalemia resolved, and hypertension improved.

Implications:

This case underscores the importance of considering rare diagnoses, such as liposarcoma, in the differential diagnosis of suspected pheochromocytoma.
Thorough histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis is essential for accurate tumor classification.
Complete surgical resection can lead to favorable outcomes for patients with retroperitoneal liposarcoma presenting with hormonal symptoms.