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Related Experiment Videos

Pigmented ("black") extraadrenal paraganglioma

E E Lack1, H Kim, K Reed

  • 1Department of Pathology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.

The American Journal of Surgical Pathology
|March 21, 1998
PubMed
Summary

A rare pigmented paraganglioma was found incidentally. Histology confirmed it was neuromelanin, not melanoma, despite its dark color.

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Area of Science:

  • Pathology
  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Pigmented paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors.
  • Differentiating pigmented paragangliomas from melanoma can be challenging.
  • Neural crest origin may explain shared melanocytic and paraganglioma phenotypes.

Observation:

  • A 57-year-old woman presented with an incidentally discovered retroperitoneal mass.
  • The jet-black tumor measured 13 cm and weighed 225 g.
  • Initial diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration and frozen section suggested malignant melanoma.

Findings:

  • Histomorphology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of paraganglioma.
  • Electron microscopy revealed dense-core neurosecretory granules and pleomorphic electron-dense granules consistent with neuromelanin.
  • No melanosomes or premelanosomes were identified, ruling out melanoma.

Implications:

  • Neuromelanin, a catecholamine metabolism byproduct, explains the tumor's pigmentation.
  • This case highlights the importance of comprehensive diagnostic methods for pigmented tumors.
  • Understanding the shared embryogenesis of melanocytes and paraganglioma cells is crucial.

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