Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas occur sporadically but are commonly associated with the von Hippel Lindau (VHL) syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2), neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and germline mutations of succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB), C (SDHC) or D (SDHD). It is therefore recommended that genetic testing be considered if not performed in all cases of even apparently sporadic pheochromocytomas or paragangliomas. Recently it has been demonstrated that immunohistochemistry (IHC) for SDHB is negative in all SDH mutated paragangliomas regardless of whether the B,C or D subunit is involved [1, 2]. Furthermore some clearly syndromic paragangliomas without known genetic mutation (including but not limited to those which occur in the Carney Triad) are identified by negative staining for SDHB [3].

Although historically the renal tumours occurring in the setting of SDHB mutation were usually classified as conventional clear cell carcinoma or oncocytoma, they actually display a unique morphology (unrecognized until know) and which can be confirmed by immunohistochemistry.

The GISTs occurring in SDH mutation and Carney Triad are also unique and demonstrate quite a different morphology, natural history and molecular pathogenesis compared to other GISTs occurring in adults (but similar to most GISTs occurring in childhood). We call this unique subtype of GIST the type 2 GIST. Briefly type 2 GISTs arise in the stomach, show an epithelioid morphology, are often multifocal, commonly show lymph node metastasis, are wild type for KIT and PDGFR, have a prognosis not predicted by size and mitotic rate, never respond to imatinib but demonstrate an indolent growth despite the presence of frequent metastases [3, 5].

We recommend that all paragangliomas, GISTs which potentially display type 2 morphological or clinical features and renal carcinomas which display the unique morphology we described should undergo immunohistochemistry for SDHB. Negative staining for SDHB indicates an abnormality of the mitochondrial complex 2 and is an absolute indication for formal genetic testing. We perform and interpret SDHB immunohistochemistry of archived formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue in a manner analogous to MSI testing in colon cancer. In the setting of paraganglioma or renal carcinoma negative staining almost always indicates germline SDHB,SDHC or SDHD mutation (greater than 90% chance) but may indicate Carney Triad. In the setting of GIST, Carney Triad is more likely, but SDHB, SDHC or SDHD mutation accounts for at least 25% of type 2 GIST.

Table 1 Syndromes associated with paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma
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The mitochondrial complex 2 links the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain and is illustrated below:

figure 1

Figure 1