Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of the adrenal gland that causes too much release of epinephrine and norepinephrine -- hormones that regulate heart rate and blood pressure.
Alternative NamesChromaffin tumors; Paraganglionoma
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsPheochromocytoma may occur as a single tumor or as more than one growth. It usually develops in the center (medulla) of one or both adrenal glands. Sometimes this kind of tumor occurs outside the adrenal gland, usually somewhere else in the abdomen.
Less than 10% of pheochromocytomas are cancerous (malignant), meaning they have the potential to spread to other parts of the body.
The tumors may occur at any age, but they are most common from early to mid-adulthood. About 10% of the time there is a family history of the disease.
SymptomsOther symptoms that can occur with this disease:
There may be an attack of the symptoms listed above (paroxysm). It may occur at unpredictable intervals (sporadic). The paroxysms may increase in frequency, length, and severity as the tumor grows.
Signs and testsAn examination of vital signs can show high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and fever when taken during an attack of symptoms. These signs can be normal at other times.
Tests include:
Treatment involves removing the tumor with surgery. It is important to stabilize blood pressure and pulse with medication before surgery. You may need to stay in the hospital.
After surgery, it is necessary to continually monitor all vital signs in an intensive care unit. When the tumor cannot be surgically removed, medication is needed to manage it. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy have not been effective in curing this kind of tumor.
Expectations (prognosis)About 95% of patients who have noncancerous tumors that are removed with surgery are still alive after 5 years. The tumors come back in less than 10% of these patients. Release of the hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine returns to normal after surgery.
Less than 50% of patients who have cancerous tumors that spread to the bones, liver, or lung are alive after 5 years.
ComplicationsHigh blood pressure may not be cured in 25% of patients after surgery. However, standard treatments can usually control high blood pressure. In about 10% of people, the tumor may return.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if:
Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009.
Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of adrenal gland tissue. It results in the release of too much epinephrine and norepinephrine, hormones that control heart rate, metabolism, and blood pressure .
Alternative NamesChromaffin tumors; Paraganglionoma
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsPheochromocytoma may occur as a single tumor or as more than one growth. It usually develops in the center (medulla) of one or both adrenal glands. Rarely, this kind of tumor occurs outside the adrenal gland, usually somewhere else in the abdomen.
Very few pheochromocytomas are cancerous.
The tumors may occur at any age, but they are most common from early to mid-adulthood.
SymptomsOther symptoms that can occur with this disease:
Symptom attacks may occur at unpredictable intervals and usually last 15 to 20 minutes. The attacks may increase in frequency, length, and severity as the tumor grows.
Signs and testsThe doctor will perform a physical exam. You may have high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and fever during an attack of symptoms. Your vital signs can be normal at other times.
Tests include:
Treatment involves removing the tumor with surgery. It is important to stabilize blood pressure and pulse with medication before surgery. You may need to stay in the hospital with close monitoring of your vital signs.
After surgery, it is necessary to continually monitor all vital signs in an intensive care unit. When the tumor cannot be surgically removed, medication is needed to manage it. This usually requires a combination of medications to control the effects of the excessive hormones. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy have not been effective in curing this kind of tumor.
Expectations (prognosis)Most patients who have noncancerous tumors that are removed with surgery are still alive after 5 years. The tumors come back in less than 10% of these patients. Levels of the hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine return to normal after surgery.
ComplicationsHigh blood pressure may not be cured in 25% of patients after surgery. However, standard treatments can usually control high blood pressure. In about 10% of people, the tumor may return.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if:
Hande KR. Adrenal medulla, catecholamines, and pheochromocytoma. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 246.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/26/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Pheochromocytoma occurs in the Nervous System and in the Adrenal Gland.
Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of the adrenal glands that produces adrenaline. There are approximately 1,000 new cases of pheochromocytoma tumors in the United States each year.
The adrenal gland
If a pheochromocytoma is suspected, urine and/or a blood test are usually recommended. A test called "24-hour urinary catacholamines and metanephrines" will be done.
Localized benign pheochromocytoma means that the tumor is found only in one area, is not cancer, and cannot spread to other tissues of the body
means that a malignant tumor that was removed has come back
Any test can be a false negative.
cathecolamines producing vasoconstriction, causing pallor.
to prevent the leakage of epinephrine during the surgery
this is a scan for pheochromocytoma; MIBG stands for metaiodobenzylguanidine.
Propanolol is a non-selective beta 1 and beta 2 receptor antagonist. When it is used in the treatment of pheochromocytoma, there is continued activation of the alpha 1 receptors leading to a paradoxical rise in hypertension due to the loss of vasodilatory affects inherent in beta 2 adrenergic stimulation. Case reports and reviews also show an increased incidence of pulmonary edema resultant from use of Propanolol in pheochromocytoma
I believe you are referring to a "pheochromocytoma." I provided a link to the Wiki article on this. Hope that helps.