Pheochromocytoma typical manifestations

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 03, 2024
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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.

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Written by Li Pei
Neurosurgery
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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.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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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.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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What department should I go to for pheochromocytoma?

Pheochromocytoma generally requires consultation at the endocrinology or surgical department. Please ask a physician to assess the current situation. For further examination and diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, qualitative and locational diagnostics are necessary. Qualitative diagnostics typically involve blood tests where levels of catecholamine metabolites in the blood and urine are tested to assist in diagnosis; locational diagnostics involve using CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound to help determine the specific location of the tumor. Treatment for pheochromocytoma generally involves surgical removal of the tumor once it is found, combined with medication treatment, which often leads to satisfactory therapeutic outcomes.

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Written by Gan Jun
Endocrinology
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What size of pheochromocytoma is malignant?

The size of pheochromocytomas and the benign or malignant nature of the tumor are not greatly related. Usually, most are familial pheochromocytomas, which are most commonly bilateral, but they have a relatively high recurrence rate and are difficult to treat with fewer available treatment options. Once a pheochromocytoma is detected, it should be taken seriously and treated promptly. The presence of a tumor often indicates that it has developed to the mid and late stages, where it becomes relatively difficult to cure. Regardless of whether the tumor is large or small, it must be taken seriously and treated with care, otherwise, it may easily worsen and affect health.

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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.