Pheochromocytoma clinical manifestations

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Pheochromocytoma typically presents with severe hypertension, with blood pressure even reaching above 200/140 mmHg, accompanied by significant discomfort, such as profuse sweating, chest pain, obvious difficulty in breathing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and other clinical manifestations. Moreover, if not treated timely and effectively, it can even lead to a hypertensive crisis. It also poses a severe threat to the patient’s heart, kidneys, liver, and brain tissues. Some patients might develop cerebrovascular diseases due to very high blood pressure, such as hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage, which can threaten the patient's life.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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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.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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How is pheochromocytoma diagnosed?

For the examination of pheochromocytoma, it is generally recommended to use qualitative or localization diagnostic methods. Qualitative examinations typically involve collecting metabolites of catecholamines from urine and blood to further facilitate a definitive diagnosis. Localization examinations are conducted through abdominal ultrasound, CT, or MRI to further identify the specific growth location of the pheochromocytoma. After a definitive diagnosis through qualitative and localization examinations, surgery is generally recommended to effectively remove the pheochromocytoma. Additionally, antihypertensive medication can be used to help control symptoms.

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

Pheochromocytoma generally requires consultation at the endocrinology or surgical department. Please ask a physician to assess the current situation. For further examination and diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, qualitative and locational diagnostics are necessary. Qualitative diagnostics typically involve blood tests where levels of catecholamine metabolites in the blood and urine are tested to assist in diagnosis; locational diagnostics involve using CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound to help determine the specific location of the tumor. Treatment for pheochromocytoma generally involves surgical removal of the tumor once it is found, combined with medication treatment, which often leads to satisfactory therapeutic outcomes.

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Endocrinology
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Can malignant pheochromocytoma be cured?

When pheochromocytoma becomes malignant, it can be cured through clinical approaches, although malignant pheochromocytoma mainly refers to those that have distant metastases. It primarily exhibits aggressive growth or is accompanied by metastases to other organs, and surgery cannot completely remove it, leading to a high recurrence rate post-surgery. Generally, the five-year survival rate for patients with malignant pheochromocytoma does not exceed half. If treated with chemotherapy or arterial embolization, it can control the patient's blood pressure and alleviate the tumor burden, thereby extending the survival period. In summary, the treatment of malignant pheochromocytoma is relatively challenging, has a high recurrence rate, and poses a significant threat to human life.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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What department does pheochromocytoma see?

Pheochromocytomas generally require a visit to urology for treatment. Initially, they mostly present with symptoms of hypertension, leading many to first visit cardiology. After differential diagnoses have ruled out other causes and confirmed pheochromocytoma, patients must then seek treatment from urology. Pheochromocytomas are generally located in the adrenal glands, hence they require surgical removal by a urologist. It is crucial to strictly control blood pressure during surgery, as fluctuations can be severe and significantly impact the patient's physical and mental health. Therefore, if a pheochromocytoma is detected, it is critical to seek timely medical treatment for a relatively better prognosis.