A Case Report of a Patient with Metastatic Cervical Paraganglioma Responding to the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Sunitinib

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Introduction: Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine neoplasms that arise from neural crest cells, and are associated with increased expression of angiogenic growth factors. There have been isolated case reports describing potential efficacy with Sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Aim(s): Here we report a case demonstrating an impressive clinical response to treatment with Sunitinib.

Materials and methods: A 53-year-old female initially presented with back pain and leg weakness secondary to a malignant lesion in L4. Staging investigations also revealed bilateral cervical masses and pulmonary metastases. She underwent surgical decompression and histology revealed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor in keeping with a diagnosis of bilateral cervical paraganglioma. She was unsuitable for debulking surgery, and MIBG and chemotherapy were considered to have a low probability of benefit. She was therefore commenced on Sunitinib 50mg for four weeks followed by two weeks off treatment.

Conference: 9th Annual ENETSConcerence (2012)

Presenting Author:

Authors: Oikonomidou O, Aylwin S, Ross P, Sarker D,

Keywords: paraganglioma, Sunitinib,