Not all patients with pheochromocytoma have symptoms. As many as 30% of pheochromocytoma patients have no symptoms.

Let me introduce you to a very pleasant female patient of mine.

She is 77 years old, but strong as an Ox. She still works her farm, from sunrise to late into the evening

Indeed, sometimes I had difficulty tracking her down because she was running around the farm on her tractor. At 77 years old. She is one tough Florida lady.

She felt fine. She felt strong. The only problem she had was high blood pressure.

She did have a CT scan though for other reasons, and this showed a 2.3 cm right adrenal tumor.

This tumor did not look like a typical innocent benign (non-cancerous) adenoma, so her doctor ordered a PET scan, which also showed some concerning features.

Clearly, she needed surgery. We did measure her adrenaline hormones (Catecholamines, Metanephrines), and they were only slightly elevated.

I performed a 16 minute Right Mini Back Scope Adrenalectomy (MBSA). I almost always can tell in the operating room when I look at the tumor, I can tell what it is, and I knew instantly that it was a pheochromocytoma. She did awesome!

My sweet 77-year-old famer lady did great and was back on her tractor working within a couple of days.

So, remember, not all pheochromocytoma patients have symptoms!

The Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma Symposium is a one-day event that investigates the autonomic nervous system as it relates to neurological ganglion, adrenal medulla, and neuroendocrine disease.

The format for the 2013 Symposium includes an overview of the somatic and visceral nervous systems and the function of neurological ganglion, classification of neuroendocrine disease, the chemistry and understanding of catecholamines, and patient experiences and stories.

The event is hosted by Lake Land College, located in Mattoon, Illinois, with the cooperation of Community and Professional Programs and Dr. James Filipiak. The event has been held since 2010. Over 250 participants have attended the event from three countries.

For information about our next symposium, contact Lake Land College at jmorecra@lakeland.cc.il.us or (217) 234-5470.

ENDO TV talks to Jacques Lenders, MD, Taskforce Chair, Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma: Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline/Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre. What led to the creation of the new guideline and its impact in the field.

Joseph Dillon, MB, BCh, BAO, Associate Professor of Endocrinology, Associate Director of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Clinic, University of Iowa

You can support our mission by donating at pheopara.org/donate.

Special thanks to Progenics.

Paraganglioma is a type of neuroendocrine tumor that forms near certain blood vessels and nerves outside of the adrenal glands.

The nerve cells involved in paraganglioma are part of the peripheral nervous system...

So the tumor involves specific nerve cells called chromaffin cells.

Now These tumors can also be called extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas.

Paragangliomas are usually noncancerous (benign).

But some paragangliomas can become cancerous (malignant) and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.


Approximately 35-50% of paragangliomas may spread to other parts of the body

Diagnosis & Treatment

You may have following Symptoms :
• High blood pressure
• Fast heartbeat
• Sweating
• Headache
• Shaking or tremors



Generally Doctors use lab tests (Catecholamine Tests ) and imaging tests to diagnose it.


Surgery is the most common treatment.

Other options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Alfredo Berruti, MD, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy, provides a succinct overview of the pathophysiology, comorbidities, and treatment options associated with advanced pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. Prof. Berruti also stresses the necessity to improve on the targeted therapies currently at our disposal now that these tumors have been successfully divided into three molecular subtypes; pseudohypoxia, kinase-signaling, and Wnt altered. This interview took place at the ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancers Congress 2023 in Lugano, Switzerland.

These works are owned by Magdalen Medical Publishing (MMP) and are protected by copyright laws and treaties around the world. All rights are reserved.

Presented by Justin Annes, MD, PhD
Endocrine Oncology Cancer Care Program, Head of PPGL Program
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Stanford University

You can support our mission by donating at pheopara.org/donate.

Special thanks to Progenics.