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Pheochromocytoma
How to test for pheochromocytoma?
Pheochromocytoma is a tumor that occurs in the adrenal gland. The tumor secretes a large amount of catecholamines, causing an increase in blood pressure. Diagnostic tests for pheochromocytoma can include a CT scan and MRI of the adrenal glands to confirm the presence of any adrenal mass. Additionally, ultrasound can also be used as an auxiliary test to help confirm the diagnosis. It is also advisable to check the levels of catecholamines in the blood and urine to further confirm the presence of an adrenal pheochromocytoma.
Is surgery necessary for pheochromocytoma?
For patients diagnosed with pheochromocytoma, it is recommended to undergo surgery as soon as possible. Complete surgical removal of the tumor often results in a very good therapeutic effect. Before surgery, some medications can be appropriately used for treatment. For example, it is advised to choose adrenergic receptor blockers, which can significantly improve the patient's condition. These can be taken orally before the operation to help gradually regulate blood pressure, or other medications such as calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and vasodilators may be used. Only through a combination of medication and surgery can satisfactory treatment results be achieved.
How is pheochromocytoma diagnosed?
For patients with pheochromocytoma, comprehensive examinations are necessary for diagnosis. For instance, measuring catecholamines and their metabolites in blood or urine can help determine if there is a noticeable increase in catecholamine levels. Furthermore, adrenal CT scans can be used to assess the condition, where in many cases, significant occupying lesions can be detected through adrenal CT scans. In addition, other related tests also hold diagnostic value and significance, such as magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and related nuclear scanning tests, which can assist in qualitative and locational diagnosis.
The manifestations of pheochromocytoma crisis
For patients with pheochromocytoma, during a crisis, it generally manifests as a sudden increase in the patient's blood pressure, which can rise to above 200-300 mmHg. Additionally, the patient experiences severe headaches and dizziness, severe nausea and vomiting. Some patients may experience significant discomfort and tachycardia, arrhythmias. Some patients also suffer from abdominal or chest pain, labored breathing, and difficulty breathing, and even blurred vision. In severe cases, the excessively high blood pressure can lead to hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage or other unexpected cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The patient’s vital signs are extremely unstable, often accompanied by multiple organ dysfunction or failure.
What medication is used for pheochromocytoma?
For patients with pheochromocytoma, it is advisable to choose antihypertensive drugs during medication. Clinically, there are many types of antihypertensive drugs used to treat pheochromocytoma patients, such as alpha-adrenergic receptor blockers, beta-adrenergic receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, vasodilators, catecholamine synthesis inhibitors, etc. These drugs can achieve desirable therapeutic effects. Of course, the main treatment for pheochromocytoma is through surgical methods. Only by effectively removing the tumor through surgery can a satisfactory therapeutic effect be achieved, fundamentally leading to a complete cure. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)
Can pheochromocytoma be cured?
Currently, with the continuous advancement of surgical techniques, pheochromocytomas can be treated promptly and effectively, achieving favorable outcomes. Once a pheochromocytoma is diagnosed and accurately localized, it is advisable to promptly proceed with surgical intervention. Removing the tumor surgically usually results in effective treatment outcomes. Before surgery, imaging studies and biochemical tests are used for the qualitative and locational diagnosis. After the nature and location of the tumor are clearly identified, the success rate of the surgery can also be increased. Pre-operative use of adrenergic receptor blockers can effectively manage the condition, leading to a reduction in blood pressure and lessening the load on the heart, thereby ensuring smooth conduct of the surgery.
Malignant manifestations of pheochromocytoma
For patients with pheochromocytoma, when malignant pheochromocytoma occurs and leads to hypertensive crisis, it often causes severe blood pressure increases, with blood pressure even reaching over 300 mmHg. At the same time, patients present with significant symptoms such as arrhythmia, tachycardia, palpitations, and shortness of breath. Some patients may also experience prominent chest pain, labored breathing, respiratory distress, and even marked sensations of urgency or anxiety, as well as a feeling of impending doom. Additionally, some patients may experience transient vascular constriction dysfunction due to severe hypertension, leading to cerebral hemorrhage.
Can a pheochromocytoma be treated without surgery?
For pheochromocytoma, it is still best to receive surgical treatment. Conservative treatment through medication alone has limited effects. In most cases, gradually increasing blood pressure leads to serious symptoms or signs in the patient, such as palpitations, shortness of breath, labored breathing, chest pain, accompanied by profuse sweating, and even severe panic and feelings of impending doom, posing serious life-threatening risks to the patient. In terms of treatment, it is advised to prioritize surgical removal of the tumor, as this can fundamentally lead to a complete cure. Additionally, appropriate medication can be used before and after the surgery to assist in treatment.
Pheochromocytoma typical manifestations
For pheochromocytoma, the term usually refers to tumors arising from the chromaffin tissue of the neural crest. Clinically, the main typical symptoms include severe hypertension, along with nausea, vomiting, intense headache, and dizziness. Additionally, it may also cause the patient to be in a continuous high metabolic state, characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, nausea, vomiting, and excessive sweating. If not treated promptly and effectively, it may pose serious threats to the patient's heart, brain, and kidneys. In severe cases, it could even be life-threatening. Surgery is commonly recommended for treatment.
Is pheochromocytoma a cancer?
Pheochromocytoma is not a cancer. It is a special type of tumor tissue that usually originates from the neuroectodermal chromaffin tissue. It can secrete catecholamines. Based on the specific origins of the tumor cells, it can be divided into types such as parasympathetic, paraganglioma, sympathetic, and ganglioneuroma. Most often, it presents with long-term hypertension, which can cause damage to the heart, brain, and kidneys due to prolonged hypertension, or severe increases in blood pressure can lead to hypertensive brain hemorrhage, thereby endangering the patient's life. Early treatment is often necessary.