Pheochromocytoma Flashcards
Where is adrenaline produced?
In the chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla of the adrenal glands
What part of the adrenal glands is adrenaline produced?
Medulla
What is a pheochromocytoma?
Tumour of the chromaffin cells leading to unregulated adrenaline secretion.
25% of pheochromocytoma are…
Familial caused by multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2)
What is the 10% rule with pheochromocytomas?
10% bilateral
10% cancerous
10% outside adrenal glan
What is the 10% rule with pheochromocytomas?
10% bilateral
10% cancerous
10% outside adrenal gland
Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma is via…
24 hour urine catecholamine
What are catecholamines?
Breakdown products of adrenaline
Why are catecholamines more useful and reliable to measure than adrenaline?
Longer half-life
Features of pheochromocytoma?
Anxiety, sweating, headache, hypertension, palpitations, tachycardia, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Symptoms often come in bursts.
Management of pheochromocytoma?
a-blockers, b-blockers, adrenalectomy.
