What size of pheochromocytoma is malignant?

Written by Gan Jun
Endocrinology
Updated on November 11, 2024
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The size of pheochromocytomas and the benign or malignant nature of the tumor are not greatly related. Usually, most are familial pheochromocytomas, which are most commonly bilateral, but they have a relatively high recurrence rate and are difficult to treat with fewer available treatment options. Once a pheochromocytoma is detected, it should be taken seriously and treated promptly. The presence of a tumor often indicates that it has developed to the mid and late stages, where it becomes relatively difficult to cure. Regardless of whether the tumor is large or small, it must be taken seriously and treated with care, otherwise, it may easily worsen and affect health.

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Neurosurgery
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Is pheochromocytoma a cancer?

Pheochromocytoma is not a cancer. It is a special type of tumor tissue that usually originates from the neuroectodermal chromaffin tissue. It can secrete catecholamines. Based on the specific origins of the tumor cells, it can be divided into types such as parasympathetic, paraganglioma, sympathetic, and ganglioneuroma. Most often, it presents with long-term hypertension, which can cause damage to the heart, brain, and kidneys due to prolonged hypertension, or severe increases in blood pressure can lead to hypertensive brain hemorrhage, thereby endangering the patient's life. Early treatment is often necessary.

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Can pheochromocytoma metastasize?

Pheochromocytoma is a special type of tumor originating from chromaffin cells of the adrenal gland. Most of these tumors are benign, with only a minority of patients experiencing malignancy. Clinically, the likelihood of tumor malignancy is about 10%. Most patients have a good prognosis after surgical removal, and if the tumor shows distant metastasis, it can be determined that the disease has become malignant. Due to the unique origin of pheochromocytomas in the adrenal medulla chromaffin cells, the tumor tissue continuously grows in the body and synthesizes and metabolizes catecholamines such as adrenaline, dopamine, and noradrenaline. Clinically, nearly 90% of patients do not develop cancer throughout their lives, therefore most pheochromocytomas are benign. However, about 10% of patients experience distant metastases, and once metastasized, it is considered a malignant tumor.

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Pheochromocytoma Test Items

For pheochromocytoma, the usual tests include routine blood tests, routine urine tests, and biochemical examinations. Specific tests mainly involve collecting blood and urine catecholamine metabolites to help diagnose the condition. Furthermore, further localization diagnostics are conducted on the patient via abdominal ultrasound, as well as CT or MRI scans, to determine the specific location of the pheochromocytoma growth. Further examinations are conducted in preparation for subsequent surgery, with treatment generally recommended to be surgical. During treatment, antihypertensive drugs are used in conjunction to control blood pressure and maintain stability of the condition.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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What medication is used for pheochromocytoma?

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 Gan Jun
Endocrinology
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What should I do if a pheochromocytoma ruptures?

When a pheochromocytoma ruptures, it is advised that the patient immediately goes to the emergency department of the hospital for relevant examinations to confirm the diagnosis and to immediately control the blood pressure to a relatively stable and safe level. After a comprehensive evaluation, the urology department will perform emergency surgical removal to save the patient's life. Spontaneous rupture and bleeding of adrenal pheochromocytoma is quite rare. The possible reasons might be long-term hypertension leading to poor vascular function, or rapid tumor growth with high capsule pressure causing vascular rupture. Additionally, intense exercise, excessive fatigue, and transient increases in blood pressure could also be triggering factors.