title: Pheochromocytoma--analysis of 15 consecutive cases from one centre.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumour, but one of great clinical importance as a risk factor of malignancy, cardiovascular diseases and sudden death.
  
  
  METHODS
  15 consecutive patients (eight women and seven men) were hospitalised and submitted for adrenalectomy with pheochromocytoma confirmed by histopathologic examination. Adrenalectomies were performed laparoscopically in 14 cases (93.3%): in nine by the retroperitoneal posterior mode and in five by the transperitoneal lateral approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Molecular-genetic examination of VHL, RET, SDHB, SDHC and SDHD genes revealed inherited predisposition for PHEO in three of 15 patients (20%): RET mutations typical for MEN 2a in two patients and VHL mutation in one patient. Disturbances of the carbohydrate metabolism occurred in nine patients (60%). Ten patients (66%) reported paroxysmal symptoms. In all cases, with the exception of a von Hippel-Lindau patient, density of tumours exceeded 20 HU. In all studied patients, urine concentration of normetanephrines exceeded their normal range and greatly prevailed over metanephrines values, which were increased in six of them (40%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Urine metoxycatecholamines and increased tissue density are sufficient in pheochromocytoma detection. However, taking into account clinical and supplemental biochemical data may be helpful in the diagnostic process. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a fully sufficient and safe method of pheochromocytoma excision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland. janusz.mysliwiec@umb.edu.pl
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Myśliwiec
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Siewko
authors.forename: Lukasz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zukowski
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Myśliwiec
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kościuszk
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Popławska
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szelachowska
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dadan
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Górska
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery* / Q000652:urine; D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009647:Normetanephrine / Q000652:urine; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery* / Q000652:urine; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009647:Normetanephrine