The PI3K-Akt pathway is highly active in pheochromocytoma. There were 10 benign (B), 3 malignant (M), and 3 extra-adrenal paragangliomas (P). Surgically removed pheochromocytomas show a significant amount of active, phosphorylated Akt (pAkt). Moreover, there was a significant association between the levels of ASCL1 and malignant and extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas. The identity of these tumors was verified with NSE, a marker of NE tissue. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is shown as a loading control. ASCL1 achate scute complex-like 1; NSE neuron-specific enolase; NE neuroendocrine