Pheochromocytoma: evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment

Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-producing tumor of the sympathetic nerv ous system. Signs and symptoms are generally related to catecholamine exces s; these include hypertension, sweating, palpitatione, headaches, and anxie ty attacks. Abdominal imaging and 24-h urine collection for catecholamines are usually be sufficient for diagnosis. Catecholamine blockade with phenox ybenzamine and metyrosine generally ameliorates symptoms and is necessary t o prevent hypertensive crisis during surgery. Standard treatment is laparos copic adrenalectomy, although partial adrenalectomy is gaining enthusiastic support in familial forms of pheochromocytoma.