Phaeochromocytoma - causes, adrenal glands, adrenaline, symptoms, treatment

What is Phaeochromocytoma?
Phaeochromocytoma is a rare lump (tumour) usually occurring in the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands have a variety of functions, one of which is to produce adrenaline and other similar chemicals that are part of the body’s fight or flight response. In a phaeochromocytoma the abnormal cells produce too much of these chemicals, which causes the features of this condition.

How do you get Phaeochromocytoma?
Why some people develop this condition is not known. The adrenal glands are small hormone-producing (called endocrine) glands located above the kidneys.

A hormone is a chemical signal released by the body and carried in the bloodstream to have an effect somewhere else in the body, to control organ function.
There are many kinds of hormones; however, in this case, it is adrenaline that causes the symptoms seen with phaeochromocytoma, because of the growth of the tumour that results in excess production of adrenaline.

Palpitations, weight loss, sweating and high blood pressure.
Without treatment, the severe high blood pressure can lead to stroke and heart attack.
Patients with unrecognised and untreated phaeochromocytoma are at risk of developing life-threatening phaeochromocytoma crisis (with severe high blood pressure) when undergoing general anaesthesia for surgery.

How long does Phaeochromocytoma last?
Once the phaeochromocytoma has developed, it won’t go away on its own.

How is Phaeochromocytoma treated?
The treatment of phaeochromocytoma includes first controlling the high blood pressure with blood pressure lowering medicines (see also, high blood pressure). When the blood pressure is under control, the treatment of this disease is removal of the abnormal adrenal gland by surgery.

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How serious is Phaeochromocytoma?
The symptoms of phaeochromocytoma can be serious and are due to the high levels of adrenaline. These include: