New therapeutic and surgical approaches for sporadic and hereditary pheochromocytoma.
Pheochromocytoma is a rare, surgically correctable cause of hypertension. Modern medical blockade has significantly improved patient survival and morbidity. The last decade has seen the identification of the genes responsible for several hereditary causes of pheochromocytoma. Evaluation of these patients has demonstrated different catecholamine profiles associated with the different syndromes. Genetic testing and new, more sensitive catecholamine tests are allowing better, earlier diagnosis of affected patients. Some patients with small tumors deemed nonfunctional by traditional methods may be safely observed until function is demonstrated. Laparoscopic surgery has supplanted the use of open surgery in the management of these tumors. Adrenocortical-sparing surgery may be performed using laparoscopy in patients with hereditary forms of pheochromocytoma.
Walther
McClellan M
MM
Urologic Oncology Branch, DCS/NCI, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 2B-43, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1502, Bethesda, MD 20892-1502, USA. macw@nih.gov
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D002395:Catecholamines