Malignant pheochromocytoma in childhood

A child had malignant pheochromocytoma. Her tumor originally was thought to be a benign one, but persistent elevation of catecholamine values in the post operative period, and consequent appearance of lytic bone lesions, proved her disease to be metastatic. Malignancy is rare in this tumor, and difficult to diagnose even with sophisticated biochemical radiologic techniques. Treatment with chemotherapy and radiation failed to halt the spread and growth of this patient's tumor.