Pheochromocytoma (patient information): Difference between revisions
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{{Pheochromocytoma (patient information)}} | |||
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Pheochromocytoma|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Pheochromocytoma|here]]''' | ||
{{CMG}} | {{CMG}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Pheochromocytoma is a rare [[tumor]] of adrenal gland tissue. It results in the release of too much epinephrine and norepinephrine, hormones that control [[heart rate]], metabolism, and blood pressure . | |||
==What are the symptoms of Pheochromocytoma?== | ==What are the symptoms of Pheochromocytoma?== | ||
* [[Abdominal pain]] | |||
* [[Chest pain]] | |||
* Irritability | |||
* [[Nervousness]] | |||
* [[Pallor]] | |||
* [[Palpitations]] | |||
* [[Rapid heart rate]] | |||
* Severe [[headache]] | |||
* [[Sweating]] | |||
* [[Weight loss]] | |||
Other symptoms that can occur with this disease: | |||
* [[Hand tremor]] | |||
* [[High blood pressure]] | |||
* [[Sleeping difficulty]] | |||
Symptom attacks may occur at unpredictable intervals and usually last 15 to 20 minutes. The attacks may increase in frequency, length, and severity as the tumor grows. | |||
==What causes Pheochromocytoma?== | ==What causes Pheochromocytoma?== | ||
Pheochromocytoma may occur as a single tumor or as more than one growth. It usually develops in the center (medulla) of one or both [[adrenal glands]]. Rarely, this kind of tumor occurs outside the adrenal gland, usually somewhere else in the abdomen. | |||
Very few pheochromocytomas are cancerous. | |||
The tumors may occur at any age, but they are most common from early to mid-adulthood. | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Call your health care provider if: | |||
* You have symptoms of pheochromocytoma | |||
* You had a pheochromocytoma in the past and your symptoms return | |||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
The doctor will perform a physical exam. You may have high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and fever during an attack of symptoms. Your vital signs can be normal at other times. | |||
Tests include: | |||
* [[Abdominal CT]] scan | |||
* Adrenal [[biopsy]] | |||
* Catecholamines blood test | |||
* [[Glucose test]] | |||
* Metanephrine blood test | |||
* [[MIBG scintiscan]] | |||
* [[MRI of abdomen]] | |||
* [[Urine catecholamines]] | |||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
Treatment involves removing the tumor with surgery. It is important to stabilize blood pressure and pulse with medication before surgery. You may need to stay in the hospital with close monitoring of your vital signs. | |||
After surgery, it is necessary to continually monitor all vital signs in an intensive care unit. When the tumor cannot be surgically removed, medication is needed to manage it. This usually requires a combination of medications to control the effects of the excessive hormones. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy have not been effective in curing this kind of tumor. | |||
==Where to find medical care for Pheochromocytoma?== | ==Where to find medical care for Pheochromocytoma?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Pheochromocytoma}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Pheochromocytoma] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Pheochromocytoma}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Pheochromocytoma] | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
Most patients who have noncancerous tumors that are removed with surgery are still alive after 5 years. The tumors come back in less than 10% of these patients. Levels of the hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine return to normal after surgery. | |||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
High blood pressure may not be cured in 25% of patients after surgery. However, standard treatments can usually control high blood pressure. In about 10% of people, the tumor may return. | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000340.htm | |||
[[Category:Patient Information]] | |||
[[Category:Endocrinology]] | |||
Revision as of 16:22, 12 September 2012
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Pheochromocytoma |
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Pheochromocytoma On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of adrenal gland tissue. It results in the release of too much epinephrine and norepinephrine, hormones that control heart rate, metabolism, and blood pressure .
What are the symptoms of Pheochromocytoma?
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Irritability
- Nervousness
- Pallor
- Palpitations
- Rapid heart rate
- Severe headache
- Sweating
- Weight loss
Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:
Symptom attacks may occur at unpredictable intervals and usually last 15 to 20 minutes. The attacks may increase in frequency, length, and severity as the tumor grows.
What causes Pheochromocytoma?
Pheochromocytoma may occur as a single tumor or as more than one growth. It usually develops in the center (medulla) of one or both adrenal glands. Rarely, this kind of tumor occurs outside the adrenal gland, usually somewhere else in the abdomen.
Very few pheochromocytomas are cancerous.
The tumors may occur at any age, but they are most common from early to mid-adulthood.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if:
- You have symptoms of pheochromocytoma
- You had a pheochromocytoma in the past and your symptoms return
Diagnosis
The doctor will perform a physical exam. You may have high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and fever during an attack of symptoms. Your vital signs can be normal at other times.
Tests include:
- Abdominal CT scan
- Adrenal biopsy
- Catecholamines blood test
- Glucose test
- Metanephrine blood test
- MIBG scintiscan
- MRI of abdomen
- Urine catecholamines
Treatment options
Treatment involves removing the tumor with surgery. It is important to stabilize blood pressure and pulse with medication before surgery. You may need to stay in the hospital with close monitoring of your vital signs.
After surgery, it is necessary to continually monitor all vital signs in an intensive care unit. When the tumor cannot be surgically removed, medication is needed to manage it. This usually requires a combination of medications to control the effects of the excessive hormones. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy have not been effective in curing this kind of tumor.
Where to find medical care for Pheochromocytoma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Pheochromocytoma
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Most patients who have noncancerous tumors that are removed with surgery are still alive after 5 years. The tumors come back in less than 10% of these patients. Levels of the hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine return to normal after surgery.
Possible complications
High blood pressure may not be cured in 25% of patients after surgery. However, standard treatments can usually control high blood pressure. In about 10% of people, the tumor may return.