Pheochromocytoma

The image shows a partly hemorrhagic, heterogenous, pink-tan tumor in the adrenal gland centered in the medulla. The thinned out remnant of the adrenal cortex can be seen stretched over the tumor. The patient was a 42 y/o female. Non-familial cases of pheochromocytoma are usually diagnosed in the 4th and 5th decades of life. Familial tumors occur at a much younger age. In fact, pheochromocytoma is the most frequently diagnosed endocrine neoplasm in the pediatric age group. About 40% of such cases are familial. Image copyright: pathorama.ch.