Pheochromocytoma

What is it?

A rare and curable condition where one has a tumour in the adrenal glands (specifically from certain cells known as chromaffin cells in the centre of the adrenal gland called the adrenal medulla) causing the glands to produce more epinephrine and norepinephrine than normal.

It affects at any age but mainly 20-40 year olds.

Paraganglioma

Pheochromocytoma can produce similar symptoms to:

Paraganglioma (PGL), which are tumours (outside the adrenal gland) that produces catecholamines (adrenaline, dopamine, ephedrine and noradrenaline) and can be found anywhere from the skull to the abdomen, these tumours can be cancerous.

- Symptoms include (depending where the tumour is):
  - Abdominal pain
  - Diarrhoea
  - Weight loss
  - Hearing loss
  - Fever
  - Polyuria (weeing a lot)
  - Hyperglycaemia

Monitor children

Tremor and anxiety are common, as well as deterioration in schoolwork in children.
This can mimic attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder thus, screening for hypertension (high blood pressure) in children evaluated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is important.
Starting treatment with a stimulant medication in a child with an undiagnosed pheochromocytoma could potentially lead to an adrenergic crisis.

Waguespack SG, Rich T, Grubbs E, et al. A current review of the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010;95:2023-2037. Source
Batsis M, Dagalakis U, Stratakis CA, et al. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in pediatric patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. Horm Metab Res. 2016;48:509-513. Source

Please talk your pharmacist before taking cold and flu remedies containing decongestants

Cause

Syndromes

Sotos syndrome

Source: Medindia

Source: SlideShare

Symptoms

(Symptoms are not constant but occur as randomly, it may get worst as tumour progresses)

Constantly/ hard to control (even after taking medication)/fluctuations in high blood pressure?
Irritated, depressed, anxiety and/or panic attacks?
Rapid heart rate?
Sweating?
Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days?
Hand tremors?
Increase in appetite?
Chest pain?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for ambulance if have or develop:

This condition can lead to:

Cardiomyopathy
Diabetes
Low Potassium levels
Kidney failure
Tumour can spread to lymph nodes, liver, lungs and bones.

Blood Pressure checks

Blood pressure should be checked annually, more often if not controlled.
Blood pressure should be checked on a daily basis and results should be recorded in a diary and should be shown to your medical doctor at your next appointment.

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Carcinoid syndrome
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Hypoglycaemia
Hyperthyroidism
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Sleep apnoea

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Pheochromocytoma in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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