Composite pheochromocytoma/ganglioneuroblastoma of the adrenal gland: a case report and review of literature

A 41-year-old female presented with left retroperitoneal mass. The mass arose from the left adrenal gland, and the left adrenalectomy was performed. Pathological diagnosis was composite pheochromocytoma (CP)/ ganglioneuroblastoma. The patient recurred 28 months later. After palliative excision, the diagnosis of left adrenal Neuroblastoma (differentiated type) was made. The second recur occurred 19 months later at subdural space of 3-5 cervical spine. Laminectomy and laminoplasty was manipulated. The pathological diagnosis was spinal canal neuroblastoma (poor-differentiated type). Here, we presented a case of composite adrenal gland tumor with compounds of both pheochromocytoma and ganglioneuroblastoma. From the complete follow-up investigation of this patient and reviewing the past literatures, we noticed that more careful monitoring should be paid by pathologists and clinicians when the patients are diagnosed as CP.