PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA: A LITERATURE REVIEW ON MANIFESTATIONS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Abstract

Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors that secrete catecholamines and arise from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla or sympathetic ganglia. They are usually discovered incidentally on imaging studies such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Symptomatic diagnosis is made through measurements of metanephrines and catecholamines in urine and plasma. In addition to causing arterial hypertension, they can lead to sudden death due to cardiac arrhythmias, especially during anesthetic procedures or tumor resection. Treatment aims to control symptoms with adrenergic antagonists and calcium channel blockers before surgery. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the standard treatment, typically performed under general anesthesia.