$Unique_ID{BRK01461}
$Pretitle{Neoplasms}
$Title{What is "Pheochromocytoma"?}
$Subject{pheochromocytoma blood pressure surgery}
$Volume{B-22}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is "Pheochromocytoma"?


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QUESTION:  At age 47, my husband has been diagnosed with a rare type of high
blood pressure, for which surgery is being advised.  Although his doctor tried
to explain the facts about a "pheochromocytoma" we are still confused and
distressed.  We hope you will find this question interesting enough to publish
an answer in your column.

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ANSWER:  It is certainly an interesting condition, but can also be most
confusing.  Even the name is more than most people can manage to say.  Broken
down to its Greek origins the word means "dusky (pheo) colored (chromo) cell
(cyt) oma (tumor)", and it is in fact a tumor of chromaffin cells that secrete
chemicals called catecholamines.  These chemicals produce a number of
reactions in the body.  Typically a patient will experience episodic sweating,
headaches, and palpitations and will be found to have an elevated blood
pressure when tested.  Additional symptoms of flushing, abdominal pain,
constipation, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting may occur, but not all
symptoms occur in all patients.  At first the symptoms come on infrequently
and last for but fifteen minutes or so, but with passing time, both the
severity and frequency of the attacks increase.  Although the physical
examination may be normal, a urine test will show an increased level of
catecholamines.  Testing a 24 hour urine specimen for various other chemicals
which result from the chemical breakdown of catecholamines will usually lead
to an accurate diagnosis.  The next problem is to determine the location of
the tumors.  They average 5 to 6 cm. in size usually weigh from 50 to 200 gm,
but can grow as large as several kilograms.  About 80 percent of the time they
are found in the adrenal gland, which perches on the kidney.  However they may
be found in the glands on both sides of the body (in about 10 percent of the
cases) and may be located in other areas of the body as well.  A variety of
imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) are used to complement scintigraphy, which uses radio active
isotopes to locate the tumors.  Surgery is needed to permanently remove the
tumors, and the patient usually passes through a period of medical management
when various medications are used to assure that the hypertension and other
symptoms are controlled before the operation is performed.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
