Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026
Isolated Hepatic Perfusion as a Treatment for Liver Metastases of Uveal Melanoma
Published on: January 25, 2015
Treatment of metastatic paraganglioma: experience of a single center
David Veríssimo1, Catarina Regala2, Inês Damásio2
1Endocrinology Department, Hospital das Forças Armadas - Pólo de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. d.verissimo87@gmail.com.
Purpose:
Data regarding treatment options and their efficacy for metastatic paragangliomas (mPPGL) is limited. This study aims to report a single center experience in treating mPPGL, comparing the efficacy and safety of various treatment approaches.
Methods:
Retrospective analysis of patients with mPPGL treated at an Endocrinology Department of a cancer institute between January 2000 and October 2022.
Results:
We analyzed 25 patients with mPPGL, 8 pheochromocytomas and 20 paragangliomas (12% multifocal), followed for a median of 9 [4; 14] years. Surgical approach, aimed at the primary tumor or at debulking of metastases, was the only treatment achieving complete response: 87% in primary tumor and 87.5% with debulking of metastases. These were long-lasting results with a duration of 69 (23.8; 136.8) months in primary tumor removal and 35.1 (15.3; 41) months in metastases debulking. As for other therapeutic approaches, such as radioactive isotopes, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy, the main outcome was stable disease, with few partial responses. At the last follow-up, 66% of the patients were alive, 15.4% were in remission and 84.6% had stable disease. Median overall survival was 14 years. The 5-year and 10-year survival rates from primary tumor diagnosis were 77.9% and 66.9% respectively, and from metastasis diagnosis were 67.4% and 55.6%, respectively.
Conclusion:
This is the only European single center analysis addressing outcomes of different therapies in mPGL. The results support surgery as a first-line treatment, being the only approach that may achieve complete response with satisfactory and long-lasting results.
Insights
Surgery is the only effective treatment for metastatic paragangliomas (mPPGL), offering complete and long-lasting responses. Other therapies like radioactive isotopes and chemotherapy primarily achieve stable disease in mPPGL patients.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Metastatic paragangliomas (mPPGL) have limited treatment options and efficacy data.
- This study presents a single European center's experience in managing mPPGL.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of diverse treatment modalities for mPPGL.
- To provide insights into the outcomes of surgical and non-surgical interventions for mPPGL.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 25 mPPGL patients treated between 2000 and 2022.
- Evaluation of surgical (primary tumor/metastasis debulking) and non-surgical treatments (radioactive isotopes, TKI, chemotherapy, radiotherapy).
Main Results:
- Surgery achieved complete response in 87% (primary) and 87.5% (metastasis debulking), with durable results.
- Other therapies predominantly resulted in stable disease; few partial responses were observed.
- Median overall survival was 14 years, with 66% of patients alive at follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Surgery is the recommended first-line treatment for mPPGL, offering the sole possibility for complete response.
- The findings support surgical intervention for achieving satisfactory and long-lasting outcomes in mPPGL management.
More Related Videos
07:43Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
10:28Gene Regulation and Targeted Therapy in Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis: Radiological Findings from Dual Energy CT and PET/CT
Published on: January 22, 2018
