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Pheochromocytoma
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Endocrine System

Pheochromocytoma

Pheochromocytoma is a rare, typically benign tumor of the adrenal gland that can cause dangerous hormonal imbalances and high blood pressure.

Overview

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

Related Conditions

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.

Diagnosis and Treatment

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 drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells.

Frequently Asked Questions

pheochromocytoma crisis is often characterized by the classic triad of severe headaches, profuse sweating, and rapid or pounding heartbeats, which occur in distinct, episodic bursts rather than continuously. Unlike a panic attack, which may resolve with deep breathing or time, a pheochromocytoma attack is driven by a massive surge of catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) and can cause blood pressure to spike to dangerous levels, such as 200/120 mmHg or higher. If you experience sudden, unexplained spikes in blood pressure accompanied by pallor (extreme paleness) and anxiety that does not improve with rest, it is critical to seek immediate medical evaluation to rule out this tumor.
Most patients require a hospital stay of three to five days following adrenalectomy, with full recovery taking several weeks. A unique and significant risk post-surgery is a sudden drop in blood pressure (hypotension) because the body is no longer producing the excess hormones that were keeping it elevated. Patients must be closely monitored in the hospital for this shift, and many will need to adjust or stop their previous blood pressure medications under strict medical supervision to avoid fainting or organ damage from low blood pressure.
pproximately 25 to 30 percent of pheochromocytomas are associated with hereditary syndromes, such as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) type 2 or Von Hippel-Lindau disease. If you have a family history of pheochromocytoma, medullary thyroid cancer, or other endocrine tumors, genetic counseling and testing are highly recommended. Identifying a genetic mutation not only helps in diagnosing the current condition but also allows for early screening of at-risk family members and guides long-term surveillance for other potential cancers associated with the syndrome.
Before surgery, patients are typically prescribed alpha-blockers (such as phenoxybenzamine) to control blood pressure and expand blood volume, which must be started at least 10 to 14 days prior to the procedure. During this preparation phase, it is crucial to avoid activities that trigger hormone release, such as heavy lifting, straining during bowel movements, or intense physical exertion. Patients should also avoid certain medications and substances that can interact with alpha-blockers or cause sudden blood pressure changes, and they must maintain adequate hydration to prevent severe drops in blood pressure once the tumor is removed.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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