Vegetative dysfunction with episodes of tachycardia, hypertension, pal
eness, general hyperhidrosis, subfebrile condition, hyperglycemia mani
fest first among clinical symptoms of chromaffinoma. In respect to the
se symptoms severity the crises observed in chromaffinoma are classifi
ed as minor or major. Major crises may be cerebral, epileptiform, card
ial and abdominal. The crises are attributed to hypercatecholaminergic
arterial hypertension. A reliable laboratory diagnosis of the disease
involves urinary measurements of catecholamines and their metabolites
. Manifold increase of the latter concentrations may serve the diagnos
tic indication. The only effective treatment is the removal of the tum
or from the adrenals.