Pheochromocytoma

	Pheochromocytoma Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Pheochromocytoma from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X Ray
CT
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Pheochromocytoma On the Web
Most recent articles
cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pheochromocytoma All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Pheochromocytoma
CDC on Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma in the news
Blogs on Pheochromocytoma
Directions to Hospitals Treating Pheochromocytoma
Risk calculators and risk factors for Pheochromocytoma

	Pheochromocytoma;
	Micrograph of a pheochromocytoma.
ICD-10	C74.1
ICD-9	255.6
ICD-O:	Template:ICDO
OMIM	171300
DiseasesDB	9912
MeSH	D010673

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Differentiating Pheochromocytoma from other Diseases

Diagnosis

Surgical resection of the tumor is the treatment of first choice. Given the complexity of perioperative management, and the potential for catastrophic intra and postoperative complications, such surgery should be performed only at centers experienced in the area. In addition to the surgical expertise that such centers can provide, they will also have the necessary endocrine and anesthesia resources as well. It may also be nescessary to carry out adrenalectomy, a complete surgical removal of the affected adrenal gland(s).

Either surgical option requires prior treatment with both the non-specific alpha adrenoceptor blocker Phenoxybenzamine to counteract hypertension and the beta-1 adrenoceptor antagonist Atenolol to reduce cardiac output. Given before surgery, these can also block the effect of a sudden release of adrenaline during tumour removal, which would otherwise endanger the anaethetised patient.

Historical perspective

In 1886, Fränkel made the first description of a patient with pheochromocytoma, however the term was first coined by Pick, a pathologist, in 1912. In 1926, Roux (in Switzerland) and Mayo (in U.S.A.) were the first surgeons to remove pheochromocytomas.
Jaroszewski DE, Tessier DJ, Schlinkert RT, et al. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma. Mayo Clin Proc. 2003; 78: 1501-1504.