A case of asbestos exposure complicated by a malignant pheochromocytoma

Reported is a case of non-functioning malignant pheochromocytoma. The patient had an occupational history of asbestos exposure and pleural plaque was seen in the chest X-rays. The tumor appeared from right adrenal gland and its size was 12 x 15 cm, which was measured by CT scanning. This determined to be non functioning because catecholamines in the serum and VMA in the urine were within normal limits. A metastasis of this tumor was seen in the lung, the liver, and the bone. So far as is known, this is the first case of asbestos exposure complicated with malignant pheochromocytoma that has been reported in the Japanese literature.