endobronchial metastasis of pheochromocytoma 25 years after primary tumor

there are few reported cases of endobronchial metastasis of pheochromocytoma literature. we present here a 56-year old woman who underwent left lower lobectomy of lung, following pneumonia with unresolved chest radiographs. computed tomography showed a lobulated soft tissue mass, measuring, 38×27 mm, at the perivascular space of anterior mediastinum. the resected specimen, showed lobulated tumor arranged in nesting pattern within arcuate vascular network. immunohistochemistry showed intense positive staining of epitheloid cell (chief cells) for chromogranin and synaptophysin which were negative for cytokeratin. sustentacular cells were strongly positive for s-100. although very rare, physicians should keep in mind the possibility of endobronchial metastasis in patients with a history of pheochromocytoma.