Pheochromocytoma Summary Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor that usually starts in the cells of one of your adrenal glands. Although they are usually benign, pheochromocytomas often cause the adrenal gland to make too many hormones. This can lead to high blood pressure and cause symptoms such as Headaches Sweating Pounding of the heart Being shaky Being extremely pale Sometimes pheochromocytoma is part of another condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome (MEN). People with MEN often have other cancers and other problems involving hormones. Doctors use lab tests and imaging tests to diagnose it. Surgery is the most common treatment. Other options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses substances that attack cancer cells without harming normal cells. NIH: National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute Array Adrenalectomy Catecholamine blood test Catecholamines – urine MIBG scintiscan Pheochromocytoma Find an Expert American Cancer Society American Cancer Society Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology Find an Endocrinologist Hormone Health Network National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute Diagnosis and Tests Catecholamines, Plasma and Urine Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Pheochromocytoma? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Plasma Free Metanephrines American Association for Clinical Chemistry Stages of Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma National Cancer Institute Urine Metanephrines American Association for Clinical Chemistry Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Pheochromocytoma National Institutes of Health Start Here General Information about Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma National Cancer Institute Pheochromocytoma Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: Overview National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Genetics Genetics Home Reference: hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: multiple endocrine neoplasia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: nonsyndromic paraganglioma National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: von Hippel-Lindau syndrome National Library of Medicine Treatments and Therapies Laparoscopic Adrenal Gland Removal Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons Treatment Option Overview (Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options for Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma National Cancer Institute Related Issues Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type I National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Statistics and Research Neuroendocrine Tumor: Statistics American Society of Clinical Oncology Reference Desk Paraganglioma Anatomy National Cancer Institute Journal Articles Pheochromocytoma Symptoms What Are Common Symptoms of Pheochromocytoma? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
