Biochemical Diagnosis of Pheochromocytoma

Abstract

Pheochromocytomas are chromaffin cell tumors typically arising in the adrenal glands and characterized by excessive production of catecholamines, often leading to increased blood pressure and symptoms of catecholamine excess. If not diagnosed or if left untreated, the excessive secretion of catecholamines by these tumors can have devastating consequences. Thus, although pheochromocytomas are rare tumors, they must be considered in many patients with hypertension, the latter representing up to a quarter of the adult population in Western countries.