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Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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In this Article

• 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 is pheochromocytoma diagnosis?
• How is a pheochromocytoma treated?
• What is the prognosis with a pheochromocytoma?
• Pheochromocytoma At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Pheochromocytoma - Symptoms and Signs
• Patient Comments: Pheochromocytoma - Experience
• Find a local Endocrinologist in your town
• Pheochromocytoma Index

Surgery is the definitive treatment. Until the tumor is removed, control of blood pressure is a top priority. Controlling blood pressure before and during surgery is the trickiest part of care. There is a chance of developing an acute hypertensive crisis after anesthesia is given during the surgery. The blood pressure is therefore closely monitored through the procedure. Consultation with an endocrinologist is recommended to help design treatment for individual patients.

Because of the types of hormones involved in a pheochromocytoma, blood pressure control utilizes agents of a specific class of drugs known as alpha blockers. There are also certain drugs (known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors) available which inhibit the formation of hormones by the tumor. These medications can be used if needed preoperatively.

In the rare instances of pheochromocytomas that are malignant, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be required after surgery.

In general, pheochromocytomas that are confined to the adrenal gland are benign, and when removed by surgery have excellent outcomes. Patients with recurrent pheochromocytoma tumors, tumors that are metastatic or unable to be removed surgically have a fair to poor outlook. Pheochromocytoma in a pregnant patient (a rare occurrence), has a poor outcome for the mother and fetus; the mortality (death) rate is about 50% for both patients.

Both malignant and benign pheochromocytomas can recur after surgery. The statistics vary from one study to the next, but recurrence rates average around 10%. Therefore, long-term follow-up care after surgery is very important to keep outlooks fair to good with additional appropriate treatments of medicine or surgery.