Pheochromocytoma arising from outside the adrenal glands is also called paraganglioma. When it occurs below the diaphragm, in the organ of Zuckerkandl or retroperitoneum, it is also called extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma. Paragangliomas are rare tumors which arise from neuroendocrine cells and extra-adrenal paragangliomas (EAPs) account for only 10-15% if all paragangliomas and may present incid...

Paragangliomas (carotid body tumours, chemodectomas) may arise in any area of the body where sympathetic ganglia are present, including chemoreceptors, the adrenal medulla and retroperitoneal ganglia. Increasing numbers of patients are being reported with vertebral metastases and spinal cord compression for which either decompression laminectomy or external beam radiotherapy, or both, are requi...