Medical management of pheochromocytoma: Role of the endocrinologist

• Main Authors: M K Garg, Sandeep Kharb, K S Brar, Abhay Gundgurthi, Rakesh Mittal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2011-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Subjects: Adrenal; hypertension; secondary hypertension; adrenal tumour
• Online Access: http://www.ijem.in/article.asp?issn=2230-8210;year=2011;volume=15;issue=8;spage=329;epage=336;aulast=Garg

Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor arising from chromaffin cells in adrenal medulla or other paraganglia in the body, which may be associated with many genetic syndromes and mutation. The role of endocrinologist is in biochemical diagnosis of suspected cases; its anatomic and functional localization with the help of imaging like CT, MRI, and nuclear scanning; preoperative control of hypertension; and postoperative follow-up of cases that have undergone surgical resection. Familial and genetic screening of cases and their family is important to detect occult cases. Endocrinologist will also play a role in cases with malignant pheochromocytoma in assessment of metastasis, control, chemoradiotherapy, and follow-up.