Pheochromocytoma: An Adrenal Gland Tumor

What’s a pheochromocytoma?

A pheochromocytoma is a uncommon sort of tumor. It grows inside the center a part of an adrenal gland. Your physique has two adrenal glands. They’re discovered on prime of every kidney. Every layer of those glands makes completely different hormones. The center a part of the adrenal glands makes epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones assist maintain your coronary heart fee and blood stress regular. A pheochromocytoma causes the adrenal glands to make an excessive amount of of those hormones.

What causes pheochromocytoma?

Consultants do not know what causes any such tumor. However there could also be a genetic part.

Who’s in danger for pheochromocytoma?

Pheochromocytomas occur equally in women and men. They usually present up when you’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s.

If somebody in your loved ones has any such tumor, it’s possible you’ll be at the next threat of growing it. This tumor doesn’t appear to be affected by atmosphere, food plan, or way of life. In case you have this tumor, you must take into consideration genetic testing. About 1 in 4 of a majority of these tumors at the moment are believed to run in households.

What are the signs of pheochromocytoma?

The commonest signal of a pheochromocytoma is hypertension. It may be all the time excessive or generally excessive. Generally the tumor could cause hypertension that may be life-threatening. It is a very uncommon reason behind hypertension. But it surely should be thought of when drugs will not be sufficient to regulate hypertension.

Different signs are much less widespread. They are often introduced on when you’re below stress or while you change positions. Every particular person’s signs might fluctuate. Signs might embody:

The signs of a pheochromocytoma might appear to be different well being issues. At all times see your healthcare supplier for a prognosis.

How is pheochromocytoma recognized?

Your healthcare supplier will take your well being historical past and offer you a bodily examination. You might also want exams, similar to:

• Blood and urine exams. These exams measure hormone ranges. Genetic exams may additionally be carried out to verify in case you have a genetic situation which will elevate your threat..

• CT scan. This take a look at makes use of X-rays and laptop know-how to take detailed 3-D photographs of your physique.

• MRI. This take a look at makes use of massive magnets, radio waves, and a pc to additionally make 3-D photographs of organs and constructions inside your physique.

• Radioisotope scan. This take a look at places radioactive substances into your physique to get a picture of the tumor. The radioactive substance is absorbed into tissues that make an excessive amount of of the hormone epinephrine. Throughout the scan, any space that absorbs the radioactive substance will be seen.

How is a pheochromocytoma handled?

Therapy will rely in your signs, age, and common well being. It is going to additionally rely upon how extreme the situation is.

Therapy might embody: 

• Surgical procedure. That is the commonest remedy. The surgeon might take away components of the gland or one or each adrenal glands. Earlier than surgical procedure. it’s possible you’ll begin drugs to dam the impact of the adrenal hormones.

• Drugs. If you cannot have surgical procedure, it’s possible you’ll take drugs. However that is hardly ever carried out. The tumor is principally handled with surgical procedure.

Residing with a pheochromocytoma

Most of those tumors are benign. This implies they aren’t most cancers, however they’ve the power to unfold Many won’t come again after they’re eliminated. In a small variety of circumstances, the tumor might come again or unfold to different locations within the physique and will turn out to be cancerous.

When ought to I name my healthcare supplier?

Inform your healthcare supplier in case your signs come again or worsen. Additionally inform your supplier in case you have any new signs.

Key factors about pheochromocytomas

• A pheochromocytoma is a tumor within the adrenal gland. It causes the gland to make an excessive amount of of the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine.

• This tumor usually happens when you’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s. It occurs to each women and men.

• Consultants do not know what causes these tumors.

• The commonest signal of this tumor is hypertension.

• Most of those tumors should not most cancers. They won’t come again after they’re eliminated.

Subsequent steps

Suggestions that can assist you get essentially the most from a go to to your healthcare supplier:

• Know the explanation on your go to and what you need to occur.

• Earlier than your go to, write down questions you need answered.

• Carry somebody with you that can assist you ask questions and bear in mind what your supplier tells you.

• On the go to, write down the title of a brand new prognosis, and any new medicines, remedies, or exams. Additionally write down any new instructions your supplier provides you.

• Know why a brand new drugs or remedy is prescribed, and the way it will show you how to. Additionally know what the unwanted side effects are.

• Ask in case your situation will be handled in different methods.

• Know why a take a look at or process is advisable and what the outcomes might imply.

• Know what to anticipate if you don’t take the drugs or have the take a look at or process.

• In case you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and goal for that go to.

• Know how one can contact your healthcare supplier in case you have questions, particularly after workplace hours and on weekends and holidays.