Differences in management and outcomes between pheochromocytomas and sympathetic paragangliomas.

PURPOSE: The primary aim was to study the differences between pheochromocytomas (PCC) and sympathetic paragangliomas (PGL) in management and short- and long-term outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 220 patients that had undergone surgery for PCC or PGL and had been managed during the period 2005-2025 at the Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital. Patient data were collected from electronic medical journals. RESULTS: Patients with PCC compared to PGL had a longer duration of preoperative treatment with alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist (50.0 vs. 34.0 days, p = 0.014) and shorter hospital stay (4.0 vs. 7.0 days, p < 0.001). Patients with PCC presented more often with dysglycemia (42.2% vs. 17.6%, p = 0.012), and glucose improved to a greater extent as well after surgery (84.2% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.033). Patients with PGL were more affected by new related tumors (recurrence, metastases, or metachronous tumor) during the follow-up time (27.8% vs. 11.0%; p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: There are many similarities between PCC and PGL; however, patients with PGL had a somewhat worse prognosis regarding short- and long-term outcomes, including longer length of stay at the hospital, risk for new associated tumors, and less positive effects on dysglycemia.