Diseases

Pheochromocytoma (Adrenal Pheochromocytoma)

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Pheochromocytoma (pcc) is a neuroendocrine tumor of the medulla of the adrenal glands (originating in the chromaffin cells), or extra-adrenal chromaffin tissue that failed to involute after birth, that secretes high amounts of catecholamines, mostly norepinephrine, plus epinephrine to a lesser extent.

SYMPTOMS

Because of hormones secreted, symptoms include high blood pressure, sweating, rapid heartbeat and headache.

CAUSES

Pheochromocytoma (pcc) is a rare tumor that can form in cells in the middle of the adrenal glands. In the case of pcc, a tumor can cause the adrenal glands to make too much of the hormones norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline).