Pheochromocytoma, November 18, 1996

Pheochromocytoma, November 18, 1996

This disease occurs in the adrenal glands in 90% of cases, but can also be located anywhere in the abdominal or pelvic cavity, or even in the chest or brain. Its hallmark is excessive secretion of catecholamines (secreted by tumor cells); if 24-hour urinary catecholamine excretion exceeds 500 μg, a diagnosis can be made. Catecholamines are mediating substances of adrenaline, with effects identical to those of adrenaline. They are usually produced when the tumor is compressed or squeezed, leading to sustained hypertension. At the same time, patients may also experience symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome due to compression of the adrenal cortex. Because catecholamine concentrations fluctuate wildly, blood pressure also fluctuates accordingly. Severe cases may experience hypertensive crisis or shock, while some cases maintain normal blood pressure. Treatment primarily relies on surgery; for patients with mild symptoms, conservative therapy may be adopted. Clinically, alpha-receptor blocker phentolamine 20 mg, administered intravenously three times daily, is the mainstay of chronic-phase treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine can employ methods such as promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, warming yang and promoting diuresis, and calming the liver and suppressing wind.