Pheochromocytoma
Medical Author: Ruchi Mathur, M.D.
Medical Editor: Barbara K. Hecht, Ph.D.
Introduction
Pheochromocytoma is a very long word, even for someone who speaks "medical
language." If you happen to be a fan of TV dramas involving young confused
doctors, you may have heard the word a few times. It is made up of four parts:
pheo-chromo-cyt-oma.
If you are one of the few people who have had a personal experience or know
someone who has been suspected of having or has actually had a pheochromocytoma,
I hope that this article helps explain what this big word actually means to
patients and their families.
What is a pheochromocytoma?
First, the basics and bit of anatomy is necessary to explain
pheochromocytoma. Pheochromocytomas are tumors of the adrenal glands. As the
name implies the ad-renal glands are located near the "renal" area. In other
words, the adrenal glands are little glands that basically sit on top of the
kidneys. One adrenal gland sits on top of each of the two kidneys.
Despite their small size, the adrenal glands do big things. They are complex
endocrine (hormone secreting) glands. Depending on which area you focus on
inside them, you find cells that do different things. There is an area where the
cells secrete cortisol, a hormone similar to cortisone. There is another area
where cells secrete a hormone called aldosterone which helps
in water
regulation.
And there is yet another area where the cells secrete substances called
catecholamines -- epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. These are
"flight or fight" hormones. They are responsible in part for that feeling of an
"ad-renal-ine" rush you feel when you are afraid. It is these cells that are
involved in a pheochromocytoma. Basically, these cells secrete too much
epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine, and that causes the clinical signs and
symptoms we will discuss below.
Pheochromocytomas are, fortunately, quite rare and the vast majority of them
are entirely benign. Only very rarely is a pheochromocytoma malignant.
Next: What are the symptoms of a pheochromocytoma? »
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