Huge Right Retroperitoneal Paraganglioma With a High Risk of Surgical Excision Treated Conservatively for 14 Years

Paraganglioma is an uncommon type of neuroendocrine tumor capable of secreting neuropeptides and catecholamines. Retroperitoneal paragangliomas are rare neoplasms that originate from chromaffin cells that secrete catecholamines in the sympathetic ganglia. Tumor reduction and management of excessive catecholamine secretion are the key treatment goals. Surgery is the choice of treatment modality when tumors are amenable to resection because of their malignant potential. Currently, high-dose metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) radiation and chemotherapy are adjuvant therapy to surgery. This case is reported to demonstrate a good prognosis in a conservatively managed, huge, non-functional retroperitoneal paraganglioma for 14 years. This provides alternative options to the traditional surgical treatment in patients who refuse, are unfit for surgery, or have complex surgery, which carries a high mortality rate with analysis of follow-up modalities. Meanwhile, a review of the relevant literature was conducted in order to figure out the prognosis.