Late recurrence of benign pheochromocytomas: the necessity for long-term follow-up.
Two patients who had removal of seemingly benign pheochromocytomas had recurrences 10 and 14 years later despite normal catecholamine excretion for 7 and 9 years postoperatively. The first patient returned with a myocardial infarction and an apparently solitary recurrence; the second patient with a stroke and metastatic disease. Both patients had recurrence of hypertension and increased catecholamine excretion. They were given phenoxybenzamine and are doing satisfactorily 7 and 9 years after their recurrences. Such patients should be followed after surgery for 15 or more years for early detection of recurrences. Prompt therapy should reduce the risk of undesirable complications.
Sparagana
M
M
Medical Service, Veterans Administration Hospital, Hines, Illinois.
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000652:urine; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008676:Metanephrine / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010643:Phenoxybenzamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D014642:Vanilmandelic Acid / Q000652:urine
D002395:Catecholamines; D010643:Phenoxybenzamine; D008676:Metanephrine; D014642:Vanilmandelic Acid