Paragangliomas are tumors of the extra-adrenal paraganglion system which arise from
neurosecretory cells and have been reported in diverse locations like the head and
neck region and the retroperitoneal cavity. The rare non-functional retroperitoneal
paraganglioma are usually asymptomatic and can attain big dimensions.
We report herein a well-documented case of a 60-year-old man who was diagnosed a non-functional
paraaortal paraganglioma at the age of 34. The patient underwent complete excision
but a repeated recurrence of the tumor and a liver metastasis were viewed. After downsizing
the paraganglioma by means of dacarbazine a total surgical resection of the retroperitoneal
tumor had been performed. There was a remission of the metastasis and total regression
of symptoms as the patient maintains since 2000 within a good overall condition without
need of furthermore therapy.
