DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2017.v05i11.023

Pages: 770-771

Pheochromocytomas are uncommon neoplasms composed of chromaffin cells, which synthesize and release catecholamines and in some instances peptide harmones. These tumours are important because they give rise to surgically correctable forms of hypertension. Although only about 0.1% to 0.3% of hypertensive patients have an underlying pheochromocytoma, the hypertension can be fatal when the pheochromocytoma goes unrecognised. Pheochromocytoma can occur at any age but most patients are 20 - 60 years old. Most pheochromocytomas are slow growing and benign but about 10% of the tumours are malignant, invasive and metastasising. These tumours are commonly sporadic but 10% are associated with familial syndromes of multiple endocrine neoplasias like medullary carcinoma of thyroid, hyperparathyroidism.