Pheochromocytoma: Study of 50 Cases

ABSTRACT 

Purpose

We studied the clinical picture, sensitivity of the biochemical tests and imaging studies, pathological findings, surgical results and followup of patients with pheochromocytoma.

Materials and Methods

The records of 50 patients with pheochromocytoma were identified. Hyperadrenergic symptoms and signs; urinary dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine and vanillylmandelic acid levels; serum dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine levels; ultrasonography; computerized tomography; magnetic resonance imaging and ¹³¹iodine-metaiodobenzylguanidine images were analyzed. The size, weight and malignancy of the tumors, as well as the operative mortality, survival rate and clinical condition of the patients were also studied.

Results

The hyperadrenergic syndrome alone was found in 90% of the patients, Cushing's syndrome alone in 2%, both syndromes in 4%, a palpable abdominal tumor only in 2% and incidental tumors in 2%. The sensitivities of the urinary evaluation in the diagnosis were metanephrines 97%, vanillylmandelic acid 90%, epinephrine 64%, norepinephrine 93% and dopamine 66%. For serum assessment the sensitivities were epinephrine 67%, norepinephrine 93% and dopamine 63%. The sensitivities of the localization examinations were 89, 94, 100 and 88% for ultrasonography, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ¹³¹I-metaiodobenzylquanidine, respectively. There was only 1 operative death. Of the patients with benign tumors 88% were cured and 12% remained hypertensive with no clinical or biochemical evidence of a hyperadrenergic profile. Of the 8 patients with malignant pheochromocytoma 1 was lost to followup and 3 died of widespread disease (1 without surgery and at 2, 24 and 78 months postoperatively). Of the 4 living patients 3 had no evidence of disease and 1 was well, although with pulmonary metastases.