[Multiple primary malignant paragangliomas of the bladder and retroperitoneal space]

An observation of the primarily multiple malignant paraganglioma of the urinary bladder and retroperitoneal space in combination with multiple uterine fibromyomas in a woman of 46 is described. Duration of the hypertension was 30 years. Hypertension crisis (up to 300/180 mm Hg) were usually associated with the urine discharge. Surgical removal of tumours was followed by a severe hypertension due to the catecholamine release into the circulation. Grimelius method confirmed the presence of endocrine granules in the cytoplasm of tumour cells. The role of chronic endocrine pathology in the evolution of extra-adrenal chromaffinomas and some questions of morphogenesis are discussed.