Paragangliomas are tumors that develop from neuroendocrine cells that are not from adrenal gland. Pheochromocytoma are like paragangliomas except they that they develop from neuroendocrine cells from within the adrenal gland. Neuroendocrine cells are cells that are a combination between a nerve cell and a hormone-producing endocrine cell. These cells can be from the sympathetic nervous system or the parasympathetic nervous system.
Types of Paraganglioma:
Sympathetic paragangliomas are tumors that have developed from neuroendocrine cells from the sympathetic nervous system. These cells produce excess amount of catecholamines which causes an increase heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and sweating. Sympathetic paragangliomas are often found in the abdomen and thorax. As they produce excess of catecholamines they are sometimes call a secreting paraganglioma (sPGL).
Parasympathetic paragangliomas arise from neuroendocrine cells from the parasympathetic nervous system. These tumors are generally located in the carotid body and the head and neck area. They are often painless and slow growing, and are less likely to produce hormones so usually do not have symptoms of increased heart rate etc. Instead signs and symptoms are often linked to their size and when large enough can cause compression of tissue and nerves close to the tumour.
Treatment:
Treatment options depends on the type, location and stage of the paraganglioma. Medication can be taken to normalize blood pressure and heart rate if this is an issue. Surgery is often the treatment of choice and chemotherapy may be suitable in some cases.
Drugs used to treat Paraganglioma
The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity
Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx
Prescription only.
OTC
Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC
Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label
This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA
An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access
Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N
FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M
The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U
CSA Schedule is unknown.
N
Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1
Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2
Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3
Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X
Interacts with Alcohol.
Further information
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