Question 1

what are the signs of a pheochromocytoma?

Accepted Answer

Pheochromocytoma: There are whole books written about the symptoms of pheochromocytoma. Classics are hypertension, headache, hyper metabolism, hyperhidrosis, and hyper heart rate. Some will have cafe-au-lait spots. Some will have neurofibromatosis. You can google these images and see if you have them. This is a deadly disease that I specialize in and happy to do 2nd opinion to help you and your team .

Question 2

what are the symptoms of pheochromocytomas?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure: Symptoms of pheochromocytoma may be very hard to control high blood pressure, may have intermittent spikes in high blood pressure, fast heart rate, sweating, intermittent severe headaches. It is an abnormal growth of the adrenal gland, and identified by blood tests for certain hormone level & can be seen on ct scan.

Question 3

what is a pheochromocytoma like?

Accepted Answer

See below: Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal gland. These tumors release chemicals called catecholamines which can cause high blood pressure, headaches, sweating and palpitations and rapid heart beat. The condition sometimes runs in families. The tumor can be diagnosed with urine measurements of the catecholamines. Most tumors are benign and are cured by surgical removal.

Question 4

how is pheochromocytoma treated?

Accepted Answer

Surgery: Removing the adrenal is the appropriate treatment.  These tumors produce hormones that increase the blood pressure to dangerous levels, so it is important that you take medication  to block the potential hormone surge.  This blockage usually takes 1-2 weeks before the surgery can be done safely.  Most pheochromocytomas can be removed laparoscopically, unless very large or suspicious for cancer.

Question 5

where are pheochromocytoma found?

Accepted Answer

Adrenal gland: Pheochromocytoma is a tumor that produces catecholamine hormones like Adrenalin which cause elevated blood pressure.  The tumor is usually found in the adrenal gland.  Occasionally, the tumor is found in other locations in the body.

Question 6

how is pheochromocytoma diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Blood or urine tests: The diagnosis is made by finding abnormal catecholamines (hormones that elevate pulse and blood pressure) in the blood or urine.  Once the diagnosis is made, a ct scan is done to look for the location - 90% are in thew adrenal glands.

Question 7

what is an episode of pheochromocytoma?

Accepted Answer

Hormone release: Pheochromocytoma (PCC) is a rare tumor of adrenal gland tissue.  When  functional they cause  adrenal glands to make too much norepinephrine and epinephrine. With hormone release there are usually has three classic symptoms, headache, sweating, and heart palpitations  in association with hypertension. Other conditions that can arise are anxiety, nausea, profound sweating and severe headaches :

Question 8

is pheochromocytoma inherited or spontaneous?

Accepted Answer

In part yes/ no: About 24% of cases of pheochromocytoma are associated with familial syndromes such as MEN 2a and 2b, neurofibromatosis type 1, and von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. [6] the annual incidence in the US is 3 to 8 cases per million (very rare).

Question 9

how to know if i suffer from pheochromocytoma?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms of norepine: Most pheochomocytomas are small and under 10 cm.  Occassionally they reach very  large sizes growing into adjacent organs like liver.  Initially symptoms are frequently not present  or are very mild like sweating or rapid pulse.  When full outpouring of nor epinephrine and related products are produced blood pressure may bet out of control.

Question 10

how to tell if i suffer from pheochromocytoma?

Accepted Answer

Usual presentation: Is extreme hypertension.  After that, you will need special blood tests for diagnosis.  But this is a rare tumor, and other causes of hypertension are much much more common.

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