What medication is used for pheochromocytoma?

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 08, 2024
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For patients with pheochromocytoma, it is advisable to choose antihypertensive drugs during medication. Clinically, there are many types of antihypertensive drugs used to treat pheochromocytoma patients, such as alpha-adrenergic receptor blockers, beta-adrenergic receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, vasodilators, catecholamine synthesis inhibitors, etc. These drugs can achieve desirable therapeutic effects. Of course, the main treatment for pheochromocytoma is through surgical methods. Only by effectively removing the tumor through surgery can a satisfactory therapeutic effect be achieved, fundamentally leading to a complete cure. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Is surgery necessary for pheochromocytoma?

For patients diagnosed with pheochromocytoma, it is recommended to undergo surgery as soon as possible. Complete surgical removal of the tumor often results in a very good therapeutic effect. Before surgery, some medications can be appropriately used for treatment. For example, it is advised to choose adrenergic receptor blockers, which can significantly improve the patient's condition. These can be taken orally before the operation to help gradually regulate blood pressure, or other medications such as calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and vasodilators may be used. Only through a combination of medication and surgery can satisfactory treatment results be achieved.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Which department should I go to for pheochromocytoma?

When pheochromocytoma occurs, it is generally recommended to visit the endocrinology department of a local hospital. Pheochromocytoma refers to tumors originating from the neuroectoderm, specifically chromaffin tissue. These tumors usually secrete catecholamines and can be classified into various types based on their origin. Patients typically exhibit a pronounced hypermetabolic state, such as malignant hypertension or hyperglycemia, and some suffer significant damage to the heart, kidneys, liver, and brain tissue due to malignant hypertension. For instance, this can lead to heart failure or hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage, severely threatening the patient's life. Treatment typically involves surgical intervention.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Malignant symptoms of pheochromocytoma

For pheochromocytoma, if not treated adequately, it often leads to severe hypertensive crises in patients, characterized by extreme spikes in blood pressure accompanied by profuse sweating, palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, and numbness in the limbs. Excessively high blood pressure can easily trigger pathological changes in the heart, kidneys, liver, and brain tissues, possibly leading to hypertensive brain hemorrhage, and even endangering the patient's life. Therefore, if pheochromocytoma is not managed and treated properly, it often results in critical illness and might even endanger the patient's life. It is recommended that once diagnosed, hospitalization should be sought promptly, and surgical treatment should be considered if necessary.

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Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
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What should I do if pheochromocytoma causes excessive sweating?

Patients with pheochromocytoma generally exhibit profuse sweating, which is a manifestation of sympathetic excitement. This occurs because the capillary beds throughout the body of a person with pheochromocytoma are constricted, including the sweat glands. Thus, it is easy to exhibit these symptoms of sympathetic excitement, characterized by nervousness, heavy sweating, and weight loss. So, how should this be treated? The key is to treat the cause. In the clinic, after collecting some blood history, conducting various blood tests, and performing adrenal CT scans among other imaging studies, a clear diagnosis of pheochromocytoma is made. Then, we will use some alpha receptor blockers, one to lower the blood pressure to a normal range and another to dilate the capillary beds throughout the body. After this, we proceed with the related surgical treatment. Following the surgical removal of the tumor, symptoms such as sweating will gradually be relieved.

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The manifestations of pheochromocytoma crisis

For patients with pheochromocytoma, during a crisis, it generally manifests as a sudden increase in the patient's blood pressure, which can rise to above 200-300 mmHg. Additionally, the patient experiences severe headaches and dizziness, severe nausea and vomiting. Some patients may experience significant discomfort and tachycardia, arrhythmias. Some patients also suffer from abdominal or chest pain, labored breathing, and difficulty breathing, and even blurred vision. In severe cases, the excessively high blood pressure can lead to hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage or other unexpected cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The patient’s vital signs are extremely unstable, often accompanied by multiple organ dysfunction or failure.