Pheochromocytomas

Pheochromocytomas (pronunciation: fee-o-kroe-moe-sy-TOE-muhs) are rare, usually noncancerous (benign) tumors that develop in cells in the center of an adrenal gland.

Etymology

The term "Pheochromocytoma" (Greek: φαιός (phaiós, "dusky"), χρῶμα (khrṓma, "color"), κύτος (kútos, "cell"), -ωμα (-oma, "tumor")) was coined by Ludwig Pick, a German pathologist, in 1912.

Symptoms

Pheochromocytomas often cause the adrenal glands to make too many stress hormones. This can lead to high blood pressure and cause symptoms such as severe headaches, irritability, sweating, rapid heart rate, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and other conditions.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Pheochromocytomas often involves blood tests, urine tests, imaging tests, and sometimes genetic testing.

Treatment

Treatment for Pheochromocytomas usually involves surgery to remove the tumor, and medication to manage symptoms.

Related Terms

• Adrenal gland
• Benign tumor
• Stress hormone
• High blood pressure
• Genetic testing

See Also

• Adrenal gland disorders
• Endocrine system

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Pheochromocytomas
• Wikipedia's article - Pheochromocytomas

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