title: Phaeochromocytoma in pregnancy. Five cases and a review of the literature.
abstract: We report five patients with phaeochromocytoma associated with pregnancy and review the 42 other cases reported in the literature from 1980 to 1987. The overall maternal mortality was 17% and the fetal loss 26%; antenatal diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma reduced the maternal mortality to zero and the fetal loss to 15%, but was made in only 53% of the patients. Although phaeochromocytoma is rare, a high index of clinical suspicion must be maintained and all those at risk investigated if earlier diagnosis and improved outcome are to be achieved. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, alpha-blockade is essential and beta-blockade may be required. CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging may be used to localize the tumour during the antenatal period. In the first and second trimesters, tumour resection has a good fetal outcome; in later pregnancy, delivery by elective caesarean section followed by tumour resection is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen's University of Belfast.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Murnaghan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hadden
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Atkinson
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis