Giant Cystic Pheochromocytoma with Low Risk ofMalignancy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Giant pheochromocytomas are rare silent entities that do not present with the classical symptoms commonly seen in catecholamine-secreting tumors. In many cases they are accidentally discovered. The algorithm to diagnose a pheochromocytoma consists ofbiochemical evaluation and imaging of a retroperitoneal mass. The female patient in this case report presented with a palpableabdominal mass and was cured with surgical resection. She suffered no recurrence or complications on follow-up. The leftretroperitoneal mass measured 27×18×12 cm and weighed 3,315 grams. Biochemical, radiological, and pathological examinationsconfirmed the diagnosis of a pheochromocytoma. In this paper, we report on our experience treating this patient and providea summary of all giant pheochromocytomas greater than 10 cm reported to date in English language medical journals. Ourpatient’s giant cystic pheochromocytoma was the fourth heaviest and fifth largest maximal diameter identified using our literaturesearch criteria. Additionally, this tumor had the largest maximaldiameter of all histologically confirmed benign/low metastaticrisk pheochromocytomas. Giant cystic pheochromocytomas are rare entities requiring clinical suspicion coupled with strategicdiagnostic evaluation to confirm the diagnosis.