How is pheochromocytoma diagnosed?

Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

Updated on November 10, 2024

00:00

00:00

For the examination of pheochromocytoma, it is generally recommended to use qualitative or localization diagnostic methods. Qualitative examinations typically involve collecting metabolites of catecholamines from urine and blood to further facilitate a definitive diagnosis. Localization examinations are conducted through abdominal ultrasound, CT, or MRI to further identify the specific growth location of the pheochromocytoma. After a definitive diagnosis through qualitative and localization examinations, surgery is generally recommended to effectively remove the pheochromocytoma. Additionally, antihypertensive medication can be used to help control symptoms.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

45sec

home-news-image

Pheochromocytoma secretes what?

Pheochromocytoma typically refers to tumors that originate from chromaffin tissue of the neural crest, and more often the tumors arise from sympathetic or parasympathetic ganglia, primarily secreting catecholamines. Many patients, due to long-term secretion of catecholamines, experience significant hypertension; severe cases may lead to hypertensive crises and cause serious damage to the heart, brain, and kidneys, or even life-threatening conditions due to severe hypertension. In most cases, if diagnosed and treated early, satisfactory treatment results can often be achieved. Those with pheochromocytoma should visit local hospitals in a timely manner for early diagnosis and treatment.

home-news-image

Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

46sec

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

45sec

home-news-image

Pheochromocytoma clinical manifestations

Pheochromocytoma typically presents with severe hypertension, with blood pressure even reaching above 200/140 mmHg, accompanied by significant discomfort, such as profuse sweating, chest pain, obvious difficulty in breathing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and other clinical manifestations. Moreover, if not treated timely and effectively, it can even lead to a hypertensive crisis. It also poses a severe threat to the patient’s heart, kidneys, liver, and brain tissues. Some patients might develop cerebrovascular diseases due to very high blood pressure, such as hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage, which can threaten the patient's life.

home-news-image

Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

48sec

home-news-image

Malignant symptoms of pheochromocytoma

For pheochromocytoma, if not treated adequately, it often leads to severe hypertensive crises in patients, characterized by extreme spikes in blood pressure accompanied by profuse sweating, palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, and numbness in the limbs. Excessively high blood pressure can easily trigger pathological changes in the heart, kidneys, liver, and brain tissues, possibly leading to hypertensive brain hemorrhage, and even endangering the patient's life. Therefore, if pheochromocytoma is not managed and treated properly, it often results in critical illness and might even endanger the patient's life. It is recommended that once diagnosed, hospitalization should be sought promptly, and surgical treatment should be considered if necessary.

home-news-image

Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

45sec

home-news-image

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.