In this Article

• Introduction
• What is a pheochromocytoma?
• What are the symptoms of a pheochromocytoma?
• What conditions are associated with pheochromocytomas?
• What else can cause the symptoms of a pheochromocytoma?
• How do you make the diagnosis of a pheochromocytoma?
• How is a pheochromocytoma treated?
• What is the outlook with a pheochromocytoma?
• Patient Discussions: Pheochromocytoma - Describe Your Experience
• Pheochromocytoma Glossary
• Pheochromocytoma Index
• Find a local Endocrinologist in your town

What else can cause the symptoms of a pheochromocytoma?

Basically, anything that can cause overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system can be on the list to rule out when suspecting a pheochromocytoma. The sympathetic system is the main control panel governing the release of the "Flight or fight" response we talked about above. Things that can stimulate this include drugs (even excessive use of decongestants should be considered); withdrawal from drugs (such as suddenly stopping certain blood pressure medications); panic attacks attacks and spinal cord injuries can also lead to some of the symptoms seen in pheochromocytomas.

How do you make the diagnosis of a pheochromocytoma?

Pheochromocytoma is a possibility in anyone with the classic triad of symptoms -- headache, sweating, and heart palpitations -- especially when there is high blood pressure (though high blood pressure is not always seen, and to confuse things even further, low blood pressure can be found is certain cases too!). A physician becomes more suspicious if the patient is young and has no other risk factors or habits that may cause these findings.

Perhaps the patient knows their family history well and a doctor suspecting pheochromocytoma can go straight to genetic testing. However, in most cases, if suspicion is high, the physician proceeds with a series of tests to measure the culprit hormones and their break down products (metabolites).

First, hormones such as catecholamines and metanephrines are measured in a 24 hour urine collection and metanephrines may also be measured in the blood. If these are greater than 2 times the normal level, imaging studies are usually done to look at the adrenal glands.

If imaging of the adrenal glands shows a mass in the gland (or outside it), surgery may be done. If it is not clear that the mass is actually functional and related to the findings clinically, or if there is no mass seen on imaging, another test can be performed. This test called a 123-1MIBG scan is quite specific for pheochromocytomas.

Pheochromocytoma - Describe Your Experience

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Please describe your experience with pheochromocytoma.

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