Synchronous detection of SDHA-related gallbladder paraganglioma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor

Pathol Res Pract. 2020 Jul;216(7):153006. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2020.153006. Epub 2020 May 13.

Abstract

Primary gallbladder paragangliomas (PGLs) are exceedingly rare. PGLs are extraadrenal neuroendocrine tumors that are morphologically inseparable from intraadrenal pheochromocytomas. PGLs and pheochromocytomas are some of the most heritable tumor types in the body and are often associated with other tumors or part of a genetic syndrome. We report a case of gallbladder PGL presenting synchronously with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET) and pulmonary IgG4-related disease in a 74-year old male patient with disseminated prostate adenocarcinoma. Due to the high rate of germline mutations and the possible syndromal manifestation of PGLs as well as pancreatic NETs, this patient was offered genetic testing, and a pathogenic SDHA germline mutation was found. Immunohistochemically, there was loss of SDHA and SDHB in the PGL but neither in the NET nor in the prostate adenocarcinoma. To our knowledge, this case is the first report of gallbladder PGL associated with pancreatic NET. It is likely that the identified SDHA germline mutation played a role in the development of gallbladder PGL in this patient.

Keywords: Endocrine neoplasia; Gallbladder; Multiple tumors; Neuroendocrine tumor; Pancreas; Paraganglioma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Aged
  • Electron Transport Complex II / genetics*
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / genetics
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics*
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease / complications
  • Male
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia / genetics*
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / genetics*
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / genetics
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / genetics
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Electron Transport Complex II
  • SDHA protein, human