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The Symptoms of Pheochromocytoma

 A Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of the adrenal gland which produces an excess of adrenaline. It is made up of chromaftin cells. The tumor develops from the central portion of the adrenal gland. This area is called the adrenal medulla. The adrenal medulla is responsible for the normal production of adrenaline. Pheochromocytoma may occur has a single tumor or multiple growths. This tumor of the adrenal gland causes an excess of epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones regulate heart rate and blood pressure. The tumors can occur at any age, but it is more common from early to mid-adulthood. Syndromes that are associated with Pheochromocytoma include neurofibromatosis, vonttippel-lidau disease, cerebellar hemangioblastoma, Sturge-Weber’s Syndrome and tuberous sclerosis.

The symptoms of Pheochromocytoma are severe headaches, excess sweating, racing heart, anxiety or nervousness, nervous shaking, pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, nausea, weight loss and heat intolerance. Half of people with Pheochromocytoma have no symptoms so doctors may not even suspect it. In situations when young people with high blood pressure that comes and goes and that accompanies other symptoms of Pheochromocytoma, a doctor may request certain lab tests such as measuring the level of catecholamines in blood or urine samples. Physicians often prescribe Beta-blockers for a patient with high blood pressure without realizing that it is being caused by Pheochromocytoma. Beta-blockers can make high blood pressure worse in people with this type of tumor.

CT scans and MRI’s are used to locate the Pheochromocytoma if the level of catecholamines is high. There is also another test that is done by injecting radioactive chemicals that often accumulate in the Pheochromocytoma. A scan is then done to see where the radioactive chemical is.

The most effective treatment for Pheochromocytoma is surgery to remove the entire affected adrenal gland. Surgery often causes the signs and symptoms to disappear. There are certain medications that may help to relieve the symptoms. Alpha-blockers are used to relax certain muscles helping small blood vessels to remain open. This helps to lower blood pressure by improving blood flow. Examples of Alpha-blockers include phenoxybenzamine, doxazosin, prazosin and terozosin. Beta-blockers make the heart beat slower and with less force. They also slow down the release of the enzyme remin from the kidneys. Examples of Beta-blockers include atenolol, metopralol and propranolol.
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By: C.Olvera
Published: 02/20/08


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