How to test for pheochromocytoma?

Written by Li Pei

Neurosurgery

Updated on September 13, 2024

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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.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

45sec

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Pheochromocytoma Test Items

For pheochromocytoma, the usual tests include routine blood tests, routine urine tests, and biochemical examinations. Specific tests mainly involve collecting blood and urine catecholamine metabolites to help diagnose the condition. Furthermore, further localization diagnostics are conducted on the patient via abdominal ultrasound, as well as CT or MRI scans, to determine the specific location of the pheochromocytoma growth. Further examinations are conducted in preparation for subsequent surgery, with treatment generally recommended to be surgical. During treatment, antihypertensive drugs are used in conjunction to control blood pressure and maintain stability of the condition.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

47sec

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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.

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Written by Li Lang Bo

Endocrinology

1min 8sec

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What should I do if pheochromocytoma causes excessive sweating?

Patients with pheochromocytoma generally exhibit profuse sweating, which is a manifestation of sympathetic excitement. This occurs because the capillary beds throughout the body of a person with pheochromocytoma are constricted, including the sweat glands. Thus, it is easy to exhibit these symptoms of sympathetic excitement, characterized by nervousness, heavy sweating, and weight loss. So, how should this be treated? The key is to treat the cause. In the clinic, after collecting some blood history, conducting various blood tests, and performing adrenal CT scans among other imaging studies, a clear diagnosis of pheochromocytoma is made. Then, we will use some alpha receptor blockers, one to lower the blood pressure to a normal range and another to dilate the capillary beds throughout the body. After this, we proceed with the related surgical treatment. Following the surgical removal of the tumor, symptoms such as sweating will gradually be relieved.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

47sec

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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.)

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Written by Gan Jun

Endocrinology

49sec

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Can malignant pheochromocytoma be cured?

When pheochromocytoma becomes malignant, it can be cured through clinical approaches, although malignant pheochromocytoma mainly refers to those that have distant metastases. It primarily exhibits aggressive growth or is accompanied by metastases to other organs, and surgery cannot completely remove it, leading to a high recurrence rate post-surgery. Generally, the five-year survival rate for patients with malignant pheochromocytoma does not exceed half. If treated with chemotherapy or arterial embolization, it can control the patient's blood pressure and alleviate the tumor burden, thereby extending the survival period. In summary, the treatment of malignant pheochromocytoma is relatively challenging, has a high recurrence rate, and poses a significant threat to human life.