User:Mr. Ibrahem/Pheochromocytoma

Pheochromocytoma (PHEO or PCC) is a tumor of the adrenal gland. Common symptoms include high blood pressure, headaches, palpitations, and sweating; though some may have no symptoms. This may occur as episodes a few times per day to a few times per month. Other symptoms may include chest pain, diarrhea, and anxiety. Complications may include hypertensive crisis, cardiomyopathy, hemorrhagic stroke, and metastasis.

The cause is most often unknown. In some cases it occurs due to a genetic condition such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2), neurofibromatosis type 1, or Von Hippel-Lindau disease. The symptoms occur due to the production of the stress hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine by the tumor. When a tumor composed of the same cells develops outside the adrenal gland, it is referred to as a paraganglioma.

The preferred treatment is surgical removal, whenever possible. Before surgery medications, such as calcium-channel blockers and ACE inhibitors, are used to manage blood pressure. If severe symptomatic high blood pressure occurs, treatment is with phentolamine. In those in who removal is not possible, long term medication are required.

Pheochromocytomas are rare. They are responsible for less than 1% of cases of high blood pressure. They most commonly occur in those between 30 and 50 years old. Males and females are affected equally frequently. The condition was first described in 1937 by Mayo, though the abnormal cells had been described in 1912 by Pick.