A pheochromocytoma (fee-o-kroe-moe-sy-TOE-muh) is a rare, usually noncancerous (benign) tumor that develops in an adrenal gland. Usually, this type of tumor affects one of your two adrenal glands, but it can affect both.
If you have a pheochromocytoma, the tumor releases hormones that cause either episodic or persistent high blood pressure. Untreated, a pheochromocytoma can result in severe or life-threatening damage to other body systems, especially the cardiovascular system.
Most people with a pheochromocytoma are between the ages of 20 and 50, but the tumor can develop at any age. Surgical treatment to remove a pheochromocytoma usually returns blood pressure to normal.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Signs and symptoms of pheochromocytomas often include:
Less common signs or symptoms may include:
Spells may occur spontaneously or may be triggered by such factors as:
Foods high in tyramine, a substance that affects blood pressure, also can trigger a spell. Tyramine is common in foods that are fermented, aged, pickled, cured, overripe or spoiled. These foods include:
Certain medications that can trigger a symptomatic spell include:
The signs and symptoms of pheochromocytoma can be caused by a number of conditions. So it's important to get a prompt diagnosis.
Although high blood pressure is a primary sign of a pheochromocytoma, most people with high blood pressure don't have an adrenal tumor. Talk to your doctor if any of the following factors are relevant to you:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Researchers don't know what causes a pheochromocytoma. The tumor develops in specialized cells, called chromaffin cells, situated in the center of an adrenal gland. These cells release certain hormones, primarily adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), that help control many body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar.
Adrenaline and noradrenaline are hormones that trigger your body's fight-or-flight response to a perceived threat. The hormones prompt higher blood pressure, a faster heart rate and a boost in other body systems that enable you to react quickly. A pheochromocytoma results in the irregular and excessive release of these hormones.
While most chromaffin cells reside in the adrenal glands, small clusters of these cells are also in the heart, head, neck, bladder, back wall of the abdomen and along the spine. Tumors in these chromaffin cells, called paragangliomas, may result in the same effects on the body.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Your doctor might order a number of tests.
Your doctor will likely order the following tests that measure levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline or byproducts of those hormones in your body:
If the results of laboratory tests indicate the possibility of a pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma, your doctor will order one or more imaging tests to locate a possible tumor. These tests may include:
A tumor in an adrenal gland might be found during imaging studies conducted for other reasons. In such cases, your doctor would order additional tests to determine the nature of the tumor.
Your doctor might recommend genetic tests to determine if a pheochromocytoma is related to an inherited disorder. Information about possible genetic factors can be important for a number of reasons:
Ask your doctor about genetic counseling services that can help you understand the benefits and implications of genetic testing.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
High blood pressure can damage multiple organs, particularly tissues of the cardiovascular system, brain and kidneys. Untreated, high blood pressure associated with pheochromocytomas can result in a number of critical conditions, including:
Rarely, a pheochromocytoma is cancerous (malignant), and the cancerous cells spread to other parts of the body (metastasize). Cancerous cells from a pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma most often migrate to the lymph system, bones, liver or lungs.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
People with rare inherited disorders have an increased risk of developing a pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma, and tumors associated with these disorders are more likely to be cancerous. These genetic conditions include the following:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
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