A Composite Pheochromocytoma/Ganglioneuroblastoma of the Adrenal Gland

A 9-year-old female presented with a large abdominal mass. At surgery, the mass was noted to arise from the right adrenal gland. As the mass was manipulated, the patient developed severe hypertension. The final diagnosis was a cystic composite-pheochromocytoma/ganglioneuroblastoma. This compound adrenal tumor is only the fourth case reported in a child. Because composite pheochromocytomas are rare in the pediatric population, the management, optimal surveillance schedule and outcomes have not been characterized. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010;54:1032-1034. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.