Pheochromocytoma: current approaches and future directions.
Pheochromocytomas are rare catecholamine-secreting tumors that arise from chromaffin tissue within the adrenal medulla and extra-adrenal sites. Because of the excess secretion of hormones, these tumors often cause debilitating symptoms and a poor quality of life. While medical management plays a significant role in the treatment of pheochromocytoma patients, surgical excision remains the only cure. Improved medical management and surgical techniques and an increased understanding of hereditary disease have improved the outcome of pheochromocytoma patients with benign disease; however, the outcome of patients with malignant disease remains poor. In this review, we discuss the presentation, diagnosis, management, and future directions in the management of this disease.
Adler
Joel T
JT
Section of Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Meyer-Rochow
Goswin Y
GY
Chen
Herbert
H
Benn
Diana E
DE
Robinson
Bruce G
BG
Sippel
Rebecca S
RS
Sidhu
Stan B
SB
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000517:prevention & control; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant