Bilateral pheochromocytoma with ganglioneuroma component associated with multiple neuroendocrine neoplasia type 2A: a case report

Abstract Background Composite pheochromocytoma/paragangliomas are very rare tumors composed of ordinary pheochromocytoma paragangliomas associated with neurogenic tumors. Several hereditary susceptibility disorders are known to be associated with pheochromocytoma/paragangliomas such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (2A or B). To the best of our knowledge, only four cases of composite pheochromocytoma/paragangliomas associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 have been reported. Case presentation A 40-year-old Arabic woman presented with headache, palpitations, paroxysmal hypertension, and weight loss, which she had had for the last 3 years. She had a familial history of diabetes and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. A radiological examination revealed thyroid lesions and bilateral adrenal medulla tumors. Our patient had undergone bilateral adrenalectomy, total thyroidectomy with cervical lymphadenectomy, and parathyroidectomy. A pathological examination confirmed the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A consisting of left medullary pheochromocytoma, right medullary composite pheochromocytoma-ganglioneuroma, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid with lymph node metastasis and parathyroid hyperplasia. A genetic analysis also revealed that our patient had a RET germline mutation. Conclusion Composite pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 is a very rare occurrence, as the current literature provides only a few cases. Further reported cases are needed in order to understand the behavior and the pathogenesis of this uncommon entity

Penile metastasis from rectal adenocarcinoma: a case report

Abstract Background Despite its rich vasculature, the penis is rarely involved by metastasis. Since the first description of penile metastasis in 1870, fewer than 500 cases have been reported in the literature. The pelvic organs are the main source of primary tumors that metastasize to the penis. Case presentation We report a case of a 46-year-old Arabic man who presented with erectile dysfunction and painful induration of the penile root. Eight months ago, he had undergone abdomino-perineal resection for rectal adenocarcinoma after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. The histological evaluation of the resected specimen disclosed a ypT3N0 tumor with a poor therapeutic response (around 5%). An adjuvant chemotherapy by XELOX (oxaliplatin plus capecitabine) regimen has been prescribed for the patient. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed tumoral infiltration of penile structures and a biopsy of the corpora cavernosa was performed. The histological examination disclosed a penile metastasis from the patient’s previous rectal adenocarcinoma. The patient is still alive and continues his adjuvant therapy. Conclusion Penile secondary tumors are very rare and usually occur in patients with advanced tumor stages. A diagnosis of penile metastasis should be considered in patients with a history of malignancies who present with genitourinary symptoms. These patients have a dismal prognosis as they often die in the year after the diagnosis