Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma is a hormonally active tumour that develops from neuroendocrine cells of the adrenal glands, secreting physiologically active substances that increase pressure. Usually, the course of the pathology is benign and is accompanied by symptoms of multiple endocrine neoplasia. The adrenal glands are paired glands located near the kidneys and are of particular importance in the regulation of metabolism. Therefore, any pathology that occurs in their tissues causes a negative reaction to the whole organism. In the absence of adequate treatment, pheochromocytoma can be fatal. The disease predominantly affects middle-aged people, when the excessive secretion of catecholamines occurs.
Symptoms
The discovery of the following symptoms in oneself should be the reason for an unscheduled visit to the doctor. Indeed, the effectiveness of treatment will depend on the timeliness of detecting the disease. The development of the tumour is accompanied by pronounced disorders associated with the endocrine, neuropsychic, gastrointestinal system. As a rule, pheochromocytoma is manifested by sudden attacks (crises), accompanied by:
- high blood pressure;
- headache;
- heart palpitations;
- severe sweating;
- pain in the heart;
- feelings of inner trembling;
- decreased visual acuity;
- the decrease in body weight;
- dizziness when changing body position;
- increased blood sugar;
- the attack ends with copious urination.
Treatment
The doctor can suspect the presence of a tumour after collecting complaints and a physical examination of the patient. The diagnosis is confirmed by additional examinations, which are also necessary for differential diagnosis, assessing the state of the affected structures, determining the stage and extent of the pathological process.
Our clinic Tel Aviv Medical Clinic is equipped with the latest equipment, which allows you to quickly and accurately diagnose, provide high-quality treatment for patients with endocrine neoplasms. Experienced doctors will select an individual, optimal treatment plan. Treatment consists of surgical removal of the tumour. After removal of the pheochromocytoma, blood pressure usually returns to normal. Sometimes removal of pheochromocytoma is impossible, for example, in the case of metastases – when the tumour is malignant. In this case, the blood pressure level is kept within the normal range with the help of drugs, and the tumour and metastases are treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.