Pheochromocytoma

Synonyms in a broader sense

Adrenal gland tumor

Definition

A pheochromocytoma is a tumor that produces hormones (usually adrenaline and noradrenaline). In 85% of cases the tumor is located in the adrenal gland. In most cases (85%) the tumor is benign, 15% are malignant.

Normally (in 90%) the pheochromocytoma is unilateral, but 10% are bilateral. Furthermore, pheochromocytomas are distinguished by the hormones they produce. About 2/3 produce adrenalin and noradrenalin. Malignant tumors are characterized by their additional dopamine production.

Summary

A pheochromocytoma is a tumor, usually located in the adrenal gland, which produces the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. In most cases it is a benign tumor. If the tumor also produces dopamine, it is malignant.

This hormone production causes the patients’ blood pressure to rise. Other symptoms are palpitations, paleness and sweating. In addition to the symptoms, various tests and imaging procedures are used for diagnosis.

The therapy focuses on the surgical removal of the tumor. The symptoms alone can also be treated with medication. There is no prophylaxis. The prognosis depends on the dignity (benign or malignant) of the tumor.

  • Ribs
  • Kidney
  • Spine
  • The author probably can’t count 🙂
  • Basins
  • Adrenal gland The adrenal gland is located at the so-called upper pole of the kidney and is, as you can see, much smaller than the kidney.

Causes

The cause of high blood pressure can be explained as follows:Since the tumor is usually found in the adrenal gland, the result is high blood pressure. The adrenal medulla produces adrenaline and noradrenaline. The cells of the adrenal medulla grow uncontrolled in a pheochromocytoma.

The tumor produces the same hormones (adrenaline and noradrenaline), which increase blood pressure by excitation of the sympathetic nervous system (the sympathetic nervous system belongs to the so-called autonomic nervous system, which regulates many parameters such as blood pressure, sweating, etc. without voluntary influence). Norepinephrine increases blood pressure by causing the smooth muscles of the arterial vessels to contract.

Adrenaline, on the other hand, changes blood pressure by increasing the minute volume (volume transported by the heart in one minute) of the heart. It also accelerates the heartbeat. Why the pheochromocytoma itself develops at all is currently attempted to explain as follows: The assumption that about 10% of these tumors are familial is considered confirmed. A certain hereditary component in our genes is therefore of certain importance for the development of the tumor and the onset of the disease.