Giant phaeochromocytoma: case report

A case of giant phaeochromocytoma occurring in a 47-year-old man with no signs or symptoms of catecholamine secretion is reported. Abdominal ultrasound scanning, chest X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were preoperatively performed. The patient was operated through a thoracoabdominal incision and section of the left hemidiaphragm. The giant retroperitoneal mass was en-bloc resected together with the left adrenal gland. Macroscopic sectioning showed a smoothly rounded 29 x 21 x 12 cm tumour attached to a normal left adrenal gland, weighing 4050 gr. The huge size of the neoplasm, the several areas of necrosis, the size and monomorphic appearance of the cells, and the large number of mitotic figures afforded a diagnosis of malignant phaeochromocytoma.