Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor that grows in the adrenal glands or other paraganglion tissue and secretes high levels of hormones like catecholamines. These extra hormones cause high blood pressure and other symptoms. While most pheochromocytomas are benign, about 10-15% are cancerous. Diagnosis involves blood/urine tests and imaging scans to detect tumors. Treatment primarily consists of surgery to remove the tumor, along with preoperative use of medications like alpha and beta blockers to control blood pressure and prepare the body for surgery.

1. Pheochromocytoma
Group 5
BMDC05
SIMAD University

2. Introduction
 Pheochromocytoma (PCC) is a rare tumor that
usually grows in the adrenal glands, above the
kidneys.
 PPC is catecholamine-secreting tumor, typically of
the adrenal medulla or extraadrenal paraganglion
tissue.
 It’s also known as an adrenal paraganglioma or a
chromaffin cell tumor.
 It’s most common in adults ages 30 to 50, but
people of all ages can have it. Children make up
about 10% of all cases.

3.  Adrenal glands make hormones that control things
like metabolism and blood pressure.
 A pheochromocytoma also releases hormones, at
much higher levels than usual. These extra
hormones cause high blood pressure, which can
damage heart, brain, lungs, and kidneys.
 About 10% to 15% of these tumors are cancerous,
and they can spread to other parts of the body. But
most pheochromocytoma tumors are benign,
meaning they’re not cancerous.

4. Causes
 The primary cause of pheochromacytoma is idiopathic in
origin.
 People who inherit PCC from their parents may also
develop associated genetic conditions. These conditions
include:
 Von Hippel-Lindau disease, a condition where cysts and
tumors grow in the central nervous system, kidneys,
adrenal glands, or other areas of the body, most are non-
cancerous
 Neurofibromatosis type 1, the development of tumors on
the skin and optic nerves
 Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2), a form of
thyroid cancer that develops in conjunction with PCC

5. Pheochromocytoma Symptoms
 Some people with these tumors have high blood
pressure all the time. For others, it goes up and
down.
 But most people have at least one other symptom,
including:
 Constipation
 Dizziness when standing
 Tremors
 Shortness of breath
 Pale skin

6.  Fast or uneven heartbeat (heart palpitations)
 Severe headache
 Unusual sweating
 Weight loss
 Weakness
 Anxiety attacks

7. Pheochromocytoma Triggers
 Some people’s attacks are set off by things like:
 Pressure on the tumor
 Medications, especially anesthesia or beta-
blockers
 Emotional stress
 Physical activity
 Childbirth
 Surgery
 Foods with a lot of the amino acid tyramine, such
as red wine, chocolate, or cheese

8. Pheochromocytoma
Complications
 PCC can lead to life-threatening conditions,
including:
 Disease of your heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
 Heart muscle inflammation(myocarditis)
 Bleeding in your brain
 Fluid buildup in your lungs (pulmonary edema)
 Stroke
 Heart attack
 Kidney failure
 Nerve damage in your eyes

9. Pheochromocytoma Diagnosis
 Blood or urine tests to look for high levels of
hormones
 An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, which
uses powerful magnets and radio waves to make
images of organs and tissues to check for a tumor
 A CT scan, which puts together several X-rays taken
from different angles to spot a tumor
 M-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging, a scanning
technology that can detect tiny amounts of an
injected radioactive compound taken up by
pheochromocytomas or paragangliomas

10. Treatment
 The primary treatment for pheochromocytoma is
surgery to remove the tumor
 Preoperative preparations
 Alpha blockers. These drugs keep smaller arteries
and veins open and relaxed, improving blood flow
and decreasing blood pressure.
 Alpha blockers include
 phenoxybenzamine,
 doxazosin (Cardura)
 prazosin

11.  Beta blockers. These drugs cause the heart to beat
more slowly and with less force. They also help keep
blood vessels open and relaxed.
 Beta blockers include:
 atenolol .
 metoprolol .
 propranolol .
 High-salt diet. Alpha and beta blockers widen the blood
vessels, causing the amount of fluid within the blood
vessels to be low.
 A high-salt diet will draw more fluid inside the blood
vessels, preventing the development of low blood
pressure during and after surgery.

12. Thank You
Group 5