Pheochromocytoma
Type of neuroendocrine tumor / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of the adrenal medulla composed of chromaffin cells, also known as pheochromocytes.[3] When a tumor composed of the same cells as a pheochromocytoma develops outside the adrenal gland, it is referred to as a paraganglioma.[4] These neuroendocrine tumors typically release massive amounts of catecholamines which result in the most common symptoms, including hypertension (high blood pressure), tachycardia (fast heart rate), and sweating.[5][6] Rarely, some tumors (especially paragangliomas) may secrete little to no catecholamines, making diagnosis difficult.[6] While tumors of the head and neck are parasympathetic, their sympathetic counterparts are predominantly located in the abdomen and pelvis, particularly concentrated at the organ of Zuckerkandl.[7]
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Pheochromocytoma | |
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Other names | Phaeochromocytoma, adrenal medullary tumor, Chromaffin Cell Tumors, Paraganglioma |
Normal remnant adrenal gland (left) with a pheochromocytoma (right) involving the adrenal medulla | |
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Specialty | Endocrinology, oncology |
Symptoms | Hypertension, tachycardia, sweating, headache, pallor |
Complications | Hypertensive crisis |
Diagnostic method | Elevated plasma free metanephrines, plasma catecholamines, or urinary catecholamines |
Treatment | Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and pharmacologic agents |
Medication | Alpha blocker Doxazosin Prazosin Terazosin |
Frequency | 0.8 per 100,000 person-years [2] |