Summary about Paraganglioma in English
Paraganglioma is a rare tumor that begins in some nerve cells that are scattered throughout the body. This tumor can affect people of all ages but usually occurs between 30 and 50 years. The tumor is usually slow-growing and non-cancerous (benign). However, it may invade adjacent body parts, become cancerous (malignant) and spread (metastasis). In about half of the paraganglioma tumors, abnormal cells produce hormones called catecholamines, or adrenaline, the fighting or flying hormone. This can lead to high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, redness of the skin, sweating, headache, and tremors. Surgery to remove the tumor is, if possible, this is the first treatment option for paraganglioma. If left untreated, paragangliomas can cause serious or life-threatening injuries and progress to the point where surgical treatment is no longer possible. In patients with cancerous and distant (metastatic) paragangliomas, medication and other treatments can help to control the disease and its symptoms and even prolong survival.