A case of pelvic malignant paraganglioma

Int J Urol. 2001 Dec;8(12):715-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1442-2042.2001.00406.x.

Abstract

We report a rare case of pelvic malignant paraganglioma that was treated with surgery, combination chemotherapy and radiation. A 47-year-old man was diagnosed with pelvic malignant paraganglioma that had metastasised to the thoracic vertebrae. The pelvic mass, which was 6 cm in size, was on the posterior side of the bladder and had invaded the prostate, seminal vesicle and bladder neck. We resected the intrapelvic tumor and lymph nodes using cystoprostatectomy. Metastases to bilateral obturator lymph nodes and the right internal iliac lymph node were shown by pathology. Adjuvant therapies included six courses of the combination chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine and dacarbazine), and 12 courses of VP-16 therapy. Radiation therapy was done for metastasis of the thoracic vertebrae. Local recurrence, progression of bone metastasis and new metastasis have not been detected since these treatments. The patient has been clinically stable during 20 months of follow-up. Chemotherapy of cyclophosphamide, vincristine and dacarbazine and VP-16 with radiation appears to be effective in treating advanced malignant paraganglioma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Dacarbazine / administration & dosage
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraganglioma / diagnosis
  • Paraganglioma / radiotherapy
  • Paraganglioma / surgery
  • Paraganglioma / therapy*
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Vincristine
  • Etoposide
  • Dacarbazine
  • Cyclophosphamide