title: Pheochromocytoma: diagnosis and management update.
abstract: Pheochromocytoma is a rare but extremely treacherous neuroendocrine tumor causing manifestations by secreting catecholamines into the circulation. It is usually fatal if unrecognized. Manifestations can mimic many diseases and cause erroneous diagnoses. Approximately 15% are malignant, 18% extra-adrenal, and 20% familial. Plasma or urinary metanephrines are approximately 98% sensitive for detecting pheochromocytomas. They can be localized by MRI and CT; (131)I- and (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) are highly specific and 81% to 90% sensitive, respectively. Suspect pheochromocytoma in patients with sustained or paroxysmal hypertension or in normotensives having manifestations of hypercatecholaminemia. Surgical removal is usually curative; chemotherapy and radiotherapy are palliative for malignant pheochromocytomas.
authors.affiliation: New York University Medical Center and National Hypertension Association, 324 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA. nathypertension@aol
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Manger
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eisenhofer
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003663:Decision Trees; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed