Is pheochromocytoma a cancer?

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 02, 2024
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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.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Pheochromocytoma hypertension medication

For pheochromocytoma, it is often recommended to use adrenergic receptor blockers for the treatment of hypertension. These can be divided into α-adrenergic receptor blockers and β-adrenergic receptor blockers. In addition, all other types of antihypertensive drugs can also be used frequently during treatment. For example, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers also play a helpful role in the treatment of pheochromocytoma. Besides pharmacological treatment, the fundamental approach is to perform qualitative and localization diagnosis, and after confirmation, to surgically remove the pheochromocytoma completely to fundamentally achieve therapeutic goals.

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Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
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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
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Causes of hypotension in pheochromocytoma

For cases of hypotension occurring in pheochromocytoma, it is most commonly seen after the surgical removal of the tumor. At this point, the concentration of catecholamines in the blood may significantly decrease, leading to a marked reduction in effective circulating blood volume, and thus causing hypotension. This situation is relatively common after surgery for pheochromocytoma. Usually, after surgical treatment and removal of the tumor, it is important to promptly discontinue the use of receptor blockers in patients and to appropriately replenish blood volume to effectively maintain central venous pressure. This approach can generally counteract the reduction in catecholamine levels caused by surgery, which leads to hypotension.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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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.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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How is pheochromocytoma treated?

Currently, for the treatment of pheochromocytoma, it is primarily important that once diagnosed with pheochromocytoma, one should promptly visit the local hospital to arrange surgical treatment as soon as possible. By surgically removing the pheochromocytoma, this prevents the excessive secretion of catecholamines, which can lead to a hypertensive crisis in patients. Therefore, clinically, after diagnosing and locating the pheochromocytoma, receiving surgical treatment can often achieve satisfactory therapeutic outcomes. Typically, appropriate preparations must be made before surgery. Generally, prior to the operation, it is crucial to actively administer medications such as alpha-adrenergic blockers, beta-adrenergic blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, vasodilators, and catecholamine synthesis inhibitors to effectively treat and stabilize blood pressure.