Laurence Boccolini announces that it is affected by this type of tumor.
Laurence Boccolini reveals having a rare tumor in the ear level, in an interview with Télé 7 Jours, on March 28. She also talks about it in her new book “Showtime”, appeared on April 2. “It is an intra tympanic paraganglioma […] which has settled in an area that cannot be achieved under penalty of touching swallowing, voice or paralyzing the muscles of my face or shoulder “ explains the 61 -year -old host at TV 7 days
Paragangliomas are tumors that develop from paraganglions, which are groups of neuroendocrine cells (which secrete hormones) located along the vascular and nervous axes of the head and neck (carotid, cranial nerve, tympanic (membrane of the eardrum) or jugular) and along the vertebral column ( level of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, genitorerinary tract and the cervical region).
Paragangliomas are rare: their annual impact is estimated at 1 per 100,000, which represents 600 new cases each year in France according to the Gustave Roussy cancer centerand hereditary in 20 to 30% of cases. They are benign and localized tumors in more than 80% of cases. There are malignant forms that can secrete excess hormones. “It is said that these tumors are functional when these secretions are responsible for clinical symptoms”specifies the Gustave Roussy center. Symptoms may appear with stress, and consist of headache, sweats, palpitations, discomfort, which can lead to cardiovascular complications, such as high blood pressure.
The diagnosis is based on the highlighting of hormonal hypersecretion by blood test or urine analysis, as well as an imaging examination (scanner, ultrasound), or even “During a surgical intervention carried out for any other condition”specifies the Gustave Roussy center. A follow -up is recommended to verify the benignity or malignancy of the tumor. The management is multidisciplinary and personalized according to the patient: the objective is to control hormonal secretions and the tumor. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery are part of the treatments offered. In the case of Laurence Boccolini, “Nothing can be done, except to prevent it from growing via radiotherapy”. These tumors can evolve very slowly over several years or decades.