What is a phaeochromocytoma?
The medical term for a tumor of the adrenal glands, which are situated above your kidneys, is phaeochromocytoma. Although it most frequently affects adults, it can also develop in children. Phaeochromocytomas are usually not cancerous, but they can be in about 1 in 10 cases.
What signs and symptoms indicate a phaeochromocytoma?
An elevated heart rate, palpitations, and high blood pressure can result from the adrenal glands producing too much adrenaline when a phaeochromocytoma develops.
The symptoms can last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour and are usually unpredictable, manifesting as unplanned “attacks.” As the tumor enlarges, they typically become more frequent and obvious.
The following are the primary signs of a phaeochromocytoma:
- Excessive sweating
- A fast heartbeat, also known as tachycardia
- Headaches
- High blood pressure, also known as hypertension
In addition, some patients experience:
- Pale skin, especially on your face
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Having a shaky feeling
It’s possible that some people never exhibit symptoms, and the condition is only identified after testing for another illness. It may take years for symptoms to appear.
What causes a phaeochromocytoma?
Although the exact cause of phaeochromocytomas is unknown, they are believed to be connected to a number of hereditary disorders, including:
- Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2
- Neurofibromatosis type 1
Your doctor will probably want to test for one of these hereditary disorders if you have been diagnosed with phaeochromocytoma.
How is a phaeochromocytoma diagnosed?
Phaeochromocytoma patients may not always exhibit symptoms, or if they do, the symptoms may be too general to identify. Usually, it is discovered following tests and scans for additional issues. If one is discovered, you might need to have additional blood, urine, and a CT or MRI scan.
What kind of specialist handles phaeochromocytomas?
Phaeochromocytoma can be diagnosed and treated by endocrinologists.
How is phaeochromocytoma treated?
An adrenalectomy, a type of surgery that removes both the tumor and the adrenal gland, is the usual course of treatment. It will also be necessary to remove any surrounding tissues if the cancer has spread there. To counteract the effects of excess hormones, you will be prescribed beta-blockers or alpha-blockers prior to surgery. Additionally, this will stabilize your blood pressure and heart rate.
Both open and keyhole (minimum access) surgery are options for the surgical procedure, which is carried out under general anesthesia.
Keyhole surgery
The tumor and gland are removed by making tiny incisions in your stomach and inserting tiny instruments.
Open surgery
To reach the gland and remove the tumor, a single, large incision is made in your stomach.
After surgery, you might require chemotherapy or radiation therapy if your phaeochromocytoma is malignant.
What is recovery like?
To make sure you fully recover from the anesthesia, you will need to spend a few hours in the recovery room following the procedure. The physician or nurse will give you pain medication if you require it. Recovery from keyhole surgery is quicker (about 1-2 weeks), but recovery from open surgery can take up to 6 weeks.