NCIt synonyms : Paraganglionic Tumor; Neoplasm of Paraganglion; Tumor of the Paraganglion; Paraganglionic Neoplasm; Paraganglion Neoplasm; Tumor of Paraganglion; Paraganglion Tumor; Neoplasm of the Paraganglion;
NCIt related terms : Paraganglioma, NOS;
NCIt definition : A neoplasm arising from paraganglia located along the sympathetic or parasympathetic
nerves. Infrequently, it may arise outside the usual distribution of the sympathetic
and parasympathetic paraganglia. Tumors arising from the adrenal gland medulla are
called pheochromocytomas. Morphologically, paragangliomas usually display a nesting
(Zellballen) growth pattern. There are no reliable morphologic criteria to distinguish
between benign and malignant paragangliomas. The only definitive indicator of malignancy
is the presence of regional or distant metastases.;
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: A rare, usually benign tumor that develops from cells of the paraganglia.
Paraganglia are a collection of cells that came from embryonic nervous tissue, and
are found near the adrenal glands and some blood vessels and nerves. Paragangliomas
that develop in the adrenal gland are called pheochromocytomas. Those that develop
outside of the adrenal glands near blood vessels or nerves are called glomus tumors
or chemodectomas.;