hormonal and metabolic disorders
Pheochromocytoma
Treatment of Pheochromocytoma
Surgery to remove the tumor Drugs to control blood pressure Usually the best treatment is to remove the pheochromocytoma. Surgery is often delayed, however, until doctors can bring the tumor’s secretion of catecholamines under control with drugs, because having high levels of catecholamines can be dangerous during surgery.Phenoxybenzamineor a similar drug is generally given to stop hormone action. Once this step is accomplished, a beta-blocker can safely be given to further control symptoms. If the pheochromocytoma is cancerous and has spread, chemotherapy rarely cures the tumor. Newer chemotherapy drugs such astemozolomideandsunitinibseem to help slow the tumor’s growth. Treatment with radioisotopes such as metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) or radioactiveoctreotidethat target the tumor tissue can also be highly effective. The dangerous effects of the excess catecholamines secreted by the tumor can almost always be blocked by continuing to takephenoxybenzamineor a similar drug, such asdoxazosin, and beta-blockers. 