Abstract: Pheochromocytoma is a type of neuroendocrine tumor that grows from cells called
chromaffin cells. These cells produce hormones needed by the body and are found in the
adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are small organs located in the upper abdomen above the
kidneys. About 80-85% of pheochromocytomas grow in the inner layer of the adrenal gland,
called the adrenal medulla. About 15-20% of pheochromocytomas grow outside this area and
are called extraadrenal pheochromocytomas or paragangliomas. Most pheochromocytomas
are benign. Pheochromocytoma is a rare but potentially life-threatening endocrine disease.
The traditional treatment of this disease is surgery. Pheochromocytomas occur in
approximately 1-2 individuals per 100,000 adults per year. About 1 in 500 people with high
blood pressure eventually develop pheochromocytomas. The most common age at which
people develop pheochromocytomas is their 40s and 50s. Men and women are affected with
equal frequency. In this article, we present a 40-year-old woman diagnosed with
pheochromocytoma.

Key words: pheochromocytoma, adrenal gland, treatment,clinical case

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